Some of Europe’s most exciting wildlife, including brown bears, white- tailed eagles and wolves, are making a dramatic recovery, according to a major new report commissioned by Rewilding Europe, a charity working to restore wild spaces across the continent.
Researchers analysed data on 50 key species of wildlife, ranging from beavers to humpback whales, whose population size and geographical distribution have expanded over the past 40 years.
They concluded that effective legal protection, habitat restoration and reintroductions are all helping to drive species recovery.
Among the top predators, the grey wolf is making the strongest recovery. Once hunted to near extinction, 17,000 wolves are now found right across Europe.
Sophie Ledger of the Zoological Society of London and co-author says it “gives cause for optimism”.
Main image: Eurasian grey wolf, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. © Staffan Widstrand/Rewilding Europe