There is growing concern among stakeholders such as livestock farmers, hunters, and land managers about how wolves navigate and feed within the human-dominated Dutch landscape. Understanding what wolves eat, where, and when, is essential to inform both public debate and effective policy. Robust, science-based insights into wolf feeding behavior can help predict trends and mitigate conflicts.

To that end, researchers carry out a comprehensive, multi-year dietary analysis of wolves in the Netherlands. They combine environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques with traditional microscopic analysis of prey remains—such as hairs and bones found in wolf scat—to build a detailed picture of their diet.

Scope of the Study

In 2023, 735 wolf scats were collected and analyzed. Of these, 624 were used to determine dietary composition based on frequency of occurrence (%FO), and 427 were used to estimate consumed biomass (%BM).

The findings reveal that wild ungulates form the core of the Dutch wolf’s diet. The most common prey species were:

• Roe deer – 59% FO, 35% BM
• Wild boar – 37% FO, 29% BM
• Red deer – 18% FO, 8% BM

Domesticated livestock also featured prominently, accounting for 30% of the scats by occurrence and 23% of the consumed biomass. Of this, cattle and sheep were the most frequently represented (21% and 8% FO, respectively).

Other prey included birds (12% FO), lagomorphs (11% FO), and small mammals (10% FO).

Spatial Variation: Veluwe vs. Drenthe

The study found notable regional differences in diet between wolf packs in the Veluwe and Drenthe:

• In Drenthe, cattle made up 37% of the consumed biomass.
• In the Veluwe, wild ungulates dominated, accounting for a striking 96% of the biomass consumed.

In Drenthe, the presence of cattle in the diet is believed to be largely due to calves or carcasses from free-ranging conservation herds used in nature management. However, due to the nature of scat analysis, it is not always possible to determine whether an animal was killed by wolves or scavenged after natural death.

These differences reflect the contrasting availability of wild prey. The Veluwe hosts a relatively complete community of wild ungulates, allowing wolves to rely almost entirely on natural prey. In contrast, Drenthe has fewer wild ungulate species, leading wolves to supplement their diet with domestic animals—especially where they are accessible in open, unmanaged grazing systems.

Seasonal Shifts in Diet

Seasonal variation was also observed. During the wolf birth season (April–June), which coincides with the birthing period of many wild ungulates, wolves shifted from consuming adult ungulates to targeting more vulnerable young animals, such as wild boar piglets and red deer calves.

Conclusion

The study underscores the opportunistic and adaptive feeding behavior of wolves and offers valuable ecological insights into how they function within fragmented, human-influenced landscapes. This knowledge can directly support science-based policymaking, reduce conflict, and facilitate informed dialogue on the future of wolves in the Netherlands.

Report: Onderzoek naar het voedingsgedrag van wolven (Canis lupus) in Nederland 2023 (in Dutch)

The post Understanding the Feeding Ecology of Wolves in the Netherlands appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Proponents of the rewilding effort argue that historical evidence, including ancient cave paintings from Spain’s Altamira and El Castillo caves, suggests that bison once inhabited the region. They view the bison as a potential keystone species capable of restoring ecological balance to degraded landscapes, particularly in rural areas where human presence has diminished. Advocates believe that reintroducing this species could help revitalize ecosystems that have suffered from overgrazing and land abandonment.

But a recent peer-reviewed article published in Conservation Science and Practice raises serious doubts about the ecological, legal, and historical basis of these efforts. The authors argue that introducing European bison into Spain may be not only scientifically unjustified, but also ecologically risky and potentially illegal under current conservation laws.

At the heart of the debate lies a deceptively simple question: Are European bison native to Spain?

Echoes from the Pleistocene

At first glance, the case seems compelling. Ancient bison-like figures dominate Spain’s prehistoric art — some drawn with such detail and motion they rival the expressive power of modern sketches. To many, this is compelling visual evidence that bison once thundered across Iberian valleys.

But scientific scrutiny paints a more complicated picture. The authors of the article highlight a key point often overlooked in popular narratives: The bison species represented in those cave paintings is almost certainly Bison priscus, the extinct steppe bison, not the modern Bison bonasus — the European bison.

The steppe bison was part of a now-vanished ecosystem known as the “mammoth steppe” — a vast, treeless, cold-adapted grassland that once stretched from Western Europe to North America. When this ecosystem disappeared at the end of the last Ice Age, so too did the steppe bison. The European bison evolved later and adapted to a more forested, temperate environment — and crucially, there is no strong paleontological evidence that it ever lived in Spain.

In other words, even if bison-like creatures once walked Iberian soil, they were not the same species that conservationists seek to introduce today.

Steppe bison in mountain areas

While the term “steppe” typically refers to vast, treeless grasslands, scientific research indicates that steppe bison inhabited a range of environments, including mountainous regions like those in northern Spain.

Fossil evidence supports that steppe bison thrived in these regions. For instance, the Kiputz IX site in the Basque Country has yielded well-preserved remains of steppe bison, including a nearly complete skull, indicating their presence in the southern Pyrenees. The skull from Kiputz IX aligns with the characteristics of the extinct subspecies Bison priscus mediator.

The cave paintings in Altamira and El Castillo, located in the mountainous terrains of northern Spain, prominently feature bison imagery. These artistic representations align with the fossil record, suggesting that steppe bison were indeed part of the local fauna during the periods these caves were inhabited. The presence of steppe bison in these areas indicates their adaptability to different environments within the broader “Mammoth Steppe” biome.

Bison priscus mediator was a later subspecies of steppe bison that emerged towards the end of the Pleistocene, exhibiting adaptations to changing environmental conditions. As the Ice Age drew to a close and the climate began to warm, the ecosystems of the northern hemisphere started shifting from cold, open steppe landscapes to more varied and forested environments. Bison priscus mediator likely adapted to these new conditions by modifying its diet and habitat preferences, making it more suited to a broader range of environments, including areas with more woodland cover. This subspecies represents a transitional phase in the evolutionary history of the steppe bison, bridging the gap between the cold-adapted forms of the earlier Pleistocene and the more temperate conditions that followed, which may have contributed to its eventual survival and spread across a wider area of Europe.

Rewilding or Reinventing?

The term “rewilding” evokes powerful imagery — untamed landscapes, ecological restoration, and charismatic megafauna reclaiming lost territory. But when does rewilding cross the line into ecological invention?

The article warns that introducing European bison to Spain would be a “non-native species introduction” — something that contradicts core principles of conservation biology. Without clear historical evidence of the species’ presence, such an action risks disturbing delicate ecosystems rather than restoring them.

Spain’s landscapes, particularly in regions like Andalucia and Extremadura where bison have already been introduced in private initiatives for ecotourism purposes, are significantly different from the mixed forests and meadows of Eastern Europe. The climate is drier, summers are hotter, and the vegetation is not the same. These differences raise questions about whether the bison could thrive — or whether they would overgraze sensitive habitats, compete with native herbivores, or suffer from poor health and condition.

Moreover, the authors point out a critical oversight in many of the pilot projects: There is often little or no scientific monitoring, no published environmental impact assessments, and no adaptive management frameworks in place. In essence, the releases are happening in a data vacuum.

Substitute species

Bison bonasus, or the European bison, could serve as a potential substitute species for the extinct Bison priscus in certain ecosystems. As a close relative, the European bison shares many ecological characteristics with Bison priscus, particularly its role as a large herbivore that shapes landscapes through grazing. Reintroducing Bison bonasus into areas where Bison priscus once roamed could help restore key ecological functions that have been lost with the extinction of the latter. The European bison is known for its ability to graze on a wide variety of vegetation, which could contribute to the control of overgrown or invasive plant species, promote biodiversity, and create open habitats that benefit other wildlife species.

Although not a direct replacement for Bison priscus, Bison bonasus can still fulfill many of the same ecological niches in modern European ecosystems. Bison bonasus’s grazing behavior influences the structure and composition of plant communities, promoting habitat diversity in woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. Its presence can encourage the growth of specific plant species while suppressing others, which in turn supports the regeneration of certain ecosystems.

Ecological boundaries

In areas like the southern parts of Europe or even parts of Spain, where Bison priscus once roamed, the European bison could help in the restoration of a more natural balance by reintroducing this large herbivore to forested and grassland areas, even though it is not native to the Iberian Peninsula.

The concept of Bison bonasus as a substitute species is part of a broader ecological restoration strategy aimed at compensating for species extinctions, helping to restore lost ecological functions and balance. By focusing on the ecological roles that Bison priscus played, Bison bonasus could effectively take on these responsibilities.

This approach is seen in various rewilding projects across Europe, where, for example, semi-wild cattle take on the role of the extinct aurochs. While Bison bonasus may not be a perfect match in terms of genetic lineage, its similar ecological impact and ability to thrive in temperate habitats make it a viable candidate for fulfilling the lost ecological roles of the extinct steppe bison.

However, the hotter and drier climate in the southernmost parts of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the southeast, presents significant challenges for the European bison, a species more suited to the milder temperatures and higher rainfall typical of northern and central Europe.

Reintroducing European bison in southern Spain is unlikely to be viable from both a species and ecological perspective, as the region’s arid conditions, limited vegetation, and lack of suitable habitats would not support the species’ survival or its role in maintaining ecological balance, which depend on cooler, more temperate environments.

Conservation Priorities: The Bigger Picture

At its core, the debate over European bison in Spain is about more than just one species. It’s about how we define conservation success and the kinds of stories we tell about nature.

The authors of the study urge caution and reflection. Conservation resources are finite. Rather than investing in questionable introductions, they suggest focusing on the protection and recovery of native Spanish species and habitats — from the Iberian lynx and Spanish imperial eagle to the fragile cork oak forests and high mountain meadows.

They also emphasize that rewilding should not become a license to “import” charismatic animals without clear ecological fit. If poorly planned, such efforts risk discrediting the broader rewilding movement, which has the potential to play a meaningful role in restoring degraded ecosystems — when done right.

The European bison’s journey from near-extinction to cautious recovery is a powerful conservation story. But the desire to expand its range must be balanced with ecological realism and respect for historical evidence. The authors of this recent study offer an important reminder: Not every attractive idea is a good one — especially when nature’s balance hangs in the hands of human ambition.

More information:
Rewilding through inappropriate species introduction: The case of European bison in Spain

The post Rewilding European Bison in Spain: Native Species vs. Ecological Substitutes appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

The Historical Context: Wolves and the Scottish Ecosystem

Wolves once roamed freely across Scotland, playing a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. As apex predators, they regulated the populations of large herbivores, particularly red deer (Cervus elaphus). However, extensive hunting and habitat loss led to the extinction of wolves in Scotland by the late 17th century, with the last recorded wolf killed in 1680. Their absence has had cascading effects on the ecosystem, most notably on deer populations.

The Deer Dilemma: Overgrazing and Woodland Decline

In the absence of natural predators, red deer populations have flourished, reaching numbers as high as 400,000. This overabundance has led to significant overgrazing, impeding the regeneration of native woodlands. Young saplings are often consumed before they can mature, and existing trees suffer from bark stripping. Consequently, Scotland’s native woodland coverage has dwindled to a mere 4% of the land area, one of the lowest in Europe. This degradation not only affects biodiversity but also reduces the landscape’s capacity to sequester carbon, a critical function in the fight against climate change.

The Proposed Solution: Reintroducing the Grey Wolf

The study by Dominick Spracklen et al. employs ecological modeling to assess the potential impacts of reintroducing grey wolves to the Scottish Highlands. The models suggest that a population of approximately 170 wolves could effectively reduce red deer densities to levels that allow for natural woodland regeneration. This predator-prey dynamic would mirror the ecological processes that occurred before wolves were extirpated.

Carbon Sequestration Potential: A Natural Climate Solution

One of the most compelling findings of the study is the projected increase in carbon sequestration resulting from woodland expansion facilitated by wolf predation on deer. The researchers estimate that the regenerated forests could sequester about 1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually over a century. This figure represents approximately 5% of the UK’s carbon removal target for woodlands to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Financially, this translates to an annual benefit of £154,000 per wolf, based on current carbon market values.  

Broader Ecological and Societal Benefits

Beyond carbon sequestration, reintroducing wolves could yield a plethora of ecological and societal benefits:

• Biodiversity Enhancement: The resurgence of native woodlands would provide habitats for a multitude of species, fostering greater biodiversity.
• Natural Flood Management: Healthy forests play a crucial role in water regulation, potentially mitigating flood risks.
• Public Health Improvements: A controlled deer population could lead to a decrease in deer-related road accidents and a reduction in the prevalence of Lyme disease, which is associated with deer ticks.
• Economic Opportunities: The presence of wolves could boost ecotourism, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and contributing to the local economy.

Challenges and Considerations: Navigating Human-Wolf Coexistence

While the ecological arguments for wolf reintroduction are compelling, several challenges must be addressed:

• Livestock Predation: Farmers express concerns about potential wolf attacks on livestock, which could lead to economic losses. Implementing robust compensation schemes and preventive measures, such as secure fencing and livestock guardian animals, would be essential.
• Hunting Interests: Deer stalkers and hunting communities fear that reduced deer populations could impact recreational hunting opportunities. Engaging these stakeholders in dialogue and exploring adaptive management strategies would be crucial.
• Public Perception: Wolves have been historically vilified, and lingering fears persist. Comprehensive public education campaigns are necessary to dispel myths and promote understanding of wolves’ ecological roles.
• Legislative and Policy Frameworks: Reintroduction efforts would require alignment with national and international wildlife regulations, necessitating thorough legal considerations.

The Path Forward: A Collaborative Approach

The study emphasizes that any wolf reintroduction initiative must be underpinned by extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Building consensus among conservationists, landowners, farmers, hunters, and the general public is vital for the project’s success. Adaptive management strategies, informed by continuous monitoring and research, would be essential to address emerging challenges and ensure positive outcomes.

Embracing a Holistic Vision for Scotland’s Future

Reintroducing grey wolves to the Scottish Highlands represents more than the return of a species; it symbolizes a commitment to ecological restoration and climate resilience. By reinstating a natural predator, Scotland has the opportunity to rejuvenate its native woodlands, enhance biodiversity, and contribute meaningfully to global carbon sequestration efforts. This holistic approach acknowledges the intricate interdependencies within ecosystems and the profound impact of keystone species. As Scotland stands on the cusp of this transformative journey, the howl of the wolf may once again echo through its glens, heralding a new era of harmony between nature and humanity.

The post Return of the Wolf: Restoring Scotland’s Wild Heart appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

For decades, Purnima has been at the forefront of conservation, leading the Hargila Army, an inspiring grassroots movement dedicated to protecting the endangered Greater Adjutant stork (Hargila) in Assam, India. Through her work, she has transformed local perceptions of the stork from a neglected, despised species to a cherished symbol of cultural pride. Her efforts have not only revived dwindling Hargila populations but also uplifted communities by integrating conservation with women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and traditional knowledge.

Honoring 12 Other Changemakers

Purnima joins an extraordinary group of 12 women recognized by TIME this year for their groundbreaking contributions across different fields. From environmental advocacy to social justice, science, and human rights, these leaders are paving the way for a more just and sustainable future.

This recognition is more than a personal achievement—it is a testament to the power of community-driven conservation and rewilding. As Purnima always emphasizes, conservation is strongest when it is rooted in local traditions, led by the community, and driven by shared responsibility.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Purnima Devi Barman and all the inspiring Women of the Year 2025. Their work serves as a beacon of hope for the planet and future generations.

Read TIME’s full feature here: https://time.com/7216405/purnima-devi-barman-hargila-storks/

The post Purnima Devi Barman Named One of TIME’s Women of the Year 2025 appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Uncovering Fossil Evidence in Europe

Scientists have uncovered fossil evidence that traces the snow leopard’s history far beyond its current range. A skull found in Manga Larga, Portugal, in the early 2000s suggests that these elusive felines once roamed across much of Europe during the Quaternary period, about 800,000 years ago. This discovery, far from the familiar landscape of the Tibetan Plateau, raises intriguing questions about the species’ evolutionary journey and its ability to adapt to varied and challenging environments.

While snow leopards are typically associated with steep, rocky slopes and cold, alpine ecosystems, this fossil evidence points to a much broader geographic presence in the past. Researchers now believe that snow leopards were not always restricted to high-altitude habitats, instead inhabiting a variety of ecosystems across Eurasia, from the frozen plateaus of Tibet to the temperate forests of Europe.

The Evolution of the Snow Leopard

The snow leopard’s current range is a reflection of millions of years of evolution, shaped by climatic shifts and changing landscapes. As a species, it is well adapted to the frigid, mountainous environments of its modern habitat, with thick fur and large paws that help it traverse snowy slopes with ease. However, the fossil evidence suggests that the snow leopard’s evolutionary path was far more dynamic.

During the Middle and Late Pleistocene, approximately 500,000 to 10,000 years ago, snow leopards underwent rapid adaptation in response to environmental shifts. As the climate cooled, these big cats adapted not only to colder temperatures but also to new prey species and diverse habitats. The fossil skull found in Portugal is part of a larger body of evidence indicating that snow leopards expanded across different regions during periods of environmental change.

Fossil records indicate that snow leopards once roamed regions far beyond their current habitat, likely due to the diverse topography available to them. These areas, characterised by rocky landscapes, allowed the species to thrive in conditions that offered both shelter and ample hunting opportunities. This discovery underscores the snow leopard’s adaptability to environmental shifts, suggesting that it was capable of surviving changing climates and landscapes throughout history.

A Changing Climate and the Snow Leopard’s Decline

Today, the snow leopard faces an entirely different kind of challenge. Climate change, driven by human activity, is altering the landscape of its remaining habitats. Rising temperatures threaten to shrink the snow leopard’s home range, pushing them into increasingly higher altitudes where prey is becoming scarcer and competition more fierce. These environmental pressures are compounded by human encroachment on the land, as development and farming expand into previously untouched areas.

The fossil evidence provides valuable insights into how the snow leopard may respond to these modern-day challenges. Just as the species adapted to climatic changes during the Pleistocene, researchers are hopeful that understanding the animal’s evolutionary history will aid in designing conservation strategies that help it survive in the face of current threats.

Implications for Conservation Efforts

Understanding the snow leopard’s evolutionary history is crucial for informing contemporary conservation efforts. By recognizing the species’ capacity for adaptation, scientists can develop more effective strategies for protecting the animal’s future. For example, ensuring that the snow leopard has access to a variety of habitats and prey species could help increase its chances of survival as climate change continues to impact its environment.

The snow leopard’s ability to thrive in a range of ecosystems, as evidenced by these ancient fossils, could inspire new approaches to habitat preservation. Efforts to restore landscapes outside the species’ current range may allow snow leopards to gradually move into new areas, expanding their territories in response to the challenges posed by global warming.

A Rich and Resilient Legacy

This study highlights that factors such as climate, prey availability, and, most notably, the landscape—especially mountainous regions—are key to snow leopard habitats, potentially more so than altitude. This understanding is crucial for developing effective strategies for the conservation of this iconic species.

The discovery of snow leopard fossils in Europe challenges long-standing assumptions about the species’ geographic limits and highlights its remarkable evolutionary resilience. While today’s snow leopard may seem inextricably tied to the mountains of Central Asia, its past tells a different story—one of adaptation, expansion, and survival across vast and varied landscapes.

As the snow leopard faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and human encroachment, understanding its evolutionary history will be key to ensuring its future. The fossilised remains of this extraordinary cat remind us that its survival has always depended on its ability to adapt to the ever-changing world around it. With continued research and conservation efforts, we may still be able to safeguard the future of the snow leopard, just as it has managed to endure through countless millennia.

Source:
Qigao Jiangzuo et al., Insights on the evolution and adaptation toward high-altitude and cold environments in the snow leopard lineage. Sci. Adv. 11, eadp5243(2025).DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp5243

The post Snow Leopard Fossils in Europe Reveal Climate Resilience appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Research on Mammoths

The study looked at the genetic legacy of extinct species, using woolly mammoths as a focal point to illustrate the long-term effects of bottlenecks. By examining the genomes of mammoths from various time periods, researchers uncovered that these majestic creatures experienced significant genetic bottlenecks long before their final extinction. The analysis revealed that even as mammoth populations occasionally rebounded in numbers, their genetic diversity continued to decline over thousands of years. This prolonged genetic bottleneck likely contributed to their vulnerability to environmental changes and human pressures, ultimately leading to their extinction. The mammoth case study serves as a strong example of how demographic recovery alone is insufficient for the long-term survival of species, emphasising the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within conservation efforts.

The Bottleneck Effect and Its Consequences

Population bottlenecks occur when a population’s size is drastically reduced due to environmental events, disease outbreaks, or human activities such as habitat destruction. This reduction results in a loss of genetic diversity, which can have long-term effects on a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases. While conservation efforts often focus on increasing population numbers, this study emphasises that simply boosting population size does not immediately restore genetic diversity.

Key Findings: A Delayed Genetic Recovery

The study utilized advanced genomic techniques and simulations to analyze the recovery patterns of various species that had undergone bottleneck events. One of the key findings is that genetic diversity recovers much more slowly than population numbers. Even as the population size rebounds, the genetic pool remains shallow for an extended period, sometimes taking several generations to reach pre-bottleneck levels. This delay in genetic recovery is primarily due to the loss of rare alleles during the bottleneck and the slow process of new mutations adding diversity to the gene pool.

Implications for Conservation Management

The time-lag between demographic and genetic recovery has profound implications for conservation strategies:

1. Long-Term Monitoring and Support: Conservation programs need to extend beyond the point where population sizes have recovered. Long-term genetic monitoring is essential to ensure that genetic diversity is also on the path to recovery. This means that conservation efforts should be sustained over several generations of the species involved.

2. Genetic Rescue Operations: In cases where genetic diversity remains critically low, introducing individuals from other populations can be beneficial. This practice, known as genetic rescue, can help boost genetic diversity more quickly than waiting for natural mutations to occur. However, it must be done carefully to avoid outbreeding depression.

3. Habitat Restoration and Connectivity: Ensuring that populations can move and interact with each other is crucial. Habitat corridors that connect fragmented populations can facilitate gene flow, helping to restore genetic diversity more rapidly.

4. Focus on Rare Alleles: Conservation strategies should pay particular attention to the preservation and reintroduction of rare alleles, which are often lost during bottlenecks but are critical for long-term adaptability and resilience.

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

The publication includes several case studies that illustrate the varying rates of genetic recovery across different species. For instance, large mammals with longer generation times may experience more prolonged genetic bottlenecks compared to species with shorter generation times. These insights are particularly relevant for species such as elephants and rhinos, where poaching and habitat loss have caused severe population declines.

Policy Implications

For policymakers, the study underscores the importance of integrating genetic considerations into conservation legislation and funding priorities. Policies should support long-term genetic studies and the creation of genetic repositories, which can serve as a genetic bank for future conservation efforts.

Resilience and Adaptability

The research published in Cell marks a significant advancement in our understanding of population recovery dynamics. The time-lag between demographic and genetic recovery highlights the need for sustained and comprehensive conservation strategies that go beyond mere population counts. By incorporating genetic recovery into conservation planning, we can enhance the resilience and adaptability of species that have experienced bottlenecks, ensuring their survival in an ever-changing world.

—
Photo by Christopher Alvarenga (Unsplash)

The post How Wooly Mammoths’ Genetic Erosion can guide modern conservation appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Presenting the Whitley Gold Award, the top honour, was Charity Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, in a poignant ceremony held at the Royal Geographical Society on 1st May. The occasion marked three decades since the inception of the Whitley Award and 25 years of HRH The Princess’ dedicated patronage.

Purnima founded the Hargila Army, becoming a beacon of hope for Assam’s endangered storks. Recognising the imminent threat faced by the majestic Hargila stork, she embarked on a mission to transform perceptions and safeguard their dwindling numbers.

The stork plays a crucial role in Assam’s wetlands, constituting over 15 percent of the state’s landmass. Unfortunately, wetlands are experiencing unprecedented degradation, disappearing at a rate three times faster than forests globally, as reported by the United Nations. These habitats serve as essential refuges for migratory birds and diverse wildlife species while also providing vital protection against the escalating threats of heavy monsoon flooding, especially in the face of unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.

Stork Sisters

Utilising an innovative approach, Purnima rallied rural women, fondly known as the “stork sisters,” to champion the cause of Hargila conservation. Together, they not only protected nesting sites but also rehabilitated the stork’s image from a cultural taboo to a cherished emblem of local pride. Today, Purnima’s army of stork sisters spans 10,000 strong, transcending borders to encompass Bihar and Cambodia.

In the wake of her relentless advocacy, Purnima’s initiatives have yielded remarkable results, with nest numbers soaring from 27 to 250 in just over a decade. The project has safeguarded over 500 stork chicks, planted 45,000 saplings, and raised awareness through innovative campaigns, including baby showers and village-to-village visits.

With the Whitley Gold Award as her beacon, Purnima is poised to amplify her impact further, aiming to double the global stork population to 5,000 by 2030. Her ambitious agenda includes expanding conservation efforts, empowering women, and fostering collaborative networks to drive transformative change in biodiversity conservation.

Sir David Attenborough, an Ambassador for WFN and a steadfast advocate for conservation, emphasized that the expanding cohort of recipients embodies some of the globe’s most esteemed conservationists. He remarked, “Whitley Award winners combine knowing how to respond to crises yet also bring communities and wider audiences with them.”

Rewilding

Purnima’s involvement in the Rewilding Academy is instrumental in driving forward its mission of fostering ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. With her extensive experience in community-driven conservation initiatives and her pioneering efforts in species recovery programs, she brings invaluable insights and expertise to the Academy’s educational programs.

As a champion of women’s empowerment and community engagement, Purnima plays a pivotal role in developing curriculum modules that emphasise the importance of local participation and sustainable development practices. Through her leadership and dedication, she inspires and empowers future conservation leaders to adopt innovative approaches in rewilding and ecosystem restoration, ensuring a brighter future for both people and wildlife.

The post Purnima Devi Barman Honoured with 2024 Whitley Gold Award for Courageous Efforts to Save Greater Adjutant Storks appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

The project has not only revitalised wildlife but also created economic opportunities for the community, including sustainable tourism and green businesses. Recognized as a United Nations World Restoration Flagship, this initiative highlights the positive impact of international collaboration on mountain landscape protection.

In another part of Asia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborates with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change to address deforestation and degradation of Chilgoza pine forests. Vulnerable to climate change, these forests play a crucial role in regulating water flows and conserving biodiversity.

FAO’s intervention, part of the Global Environment Facility-funded Restoration Initiative (TRI), includes providing tools for safe Chilgoza pine nut harvesting and establishing processing units. This approach not only reduces harm to the trees by 25% but also supports local economies, demonstrating the essential elements of sustainable restoration and conservation.

Mountains, vital for daily freshwater supply and climate change mitigation, are facing degradation due to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. By halting, preventing, and reversing degradation, these efforts contribute to protecting ecosystem services like water while enhancing climate resilience and creating new jobs in rural economies.

This initiative is executed collaboratively by FAO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and UNEP. Its purpose is to address prevailing obstacles to restoration and rehabilitate deteriorated landscapes in ten countries across Asia and Africa.

The success stories from Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan underscore the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative, sustainable restoration initiatives.

Source: Proof that restoring mountain ecosystems works
Photo: Frida Lannerström/Unsplash

The post Mountain Ecosystem Restoration Success Stories: Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

The Road to Peril

In the Anthropocene era, a time characterized by unprecedented human influence on the environment, the landscape has been rapidly transformed by the expansion of road and railway networks. This expansion has led to the fragmentation of natural habitats, and such disruptions have profound consequences for wildlife movement. For species with small and isolated populations, these linear infrastructures are becoming increasingly hazardous.

A Perilous Crossroads

The collision of vehicles with wildlife not only imperils animals but also poses risks to human safety. This is especially true when the large and robust European bison are involved. These accidents result in economic losses due to damage to vehicles and trains, as well as traffic congestion and train delays.

Moreover, these conflicts have economic or other repercussions, with vehicle collisions leading to injuries and loss of human lives. Understanding the patterns and trends of traffic-related mortality on roads and railways is therefore a critical concern for wildlife management and conservation.

A Continent Divided by Roads and Rails

Europe finds itself at the epicenter of this challenge. The continent is crisscrossed by an extensive network of roads and railways, with traffic volumes on the rise. Coinciding with these developments, wildlife populations are making a come back, expanding their ranges into landscapes where they have not been seen for decades.

The Predicament of European Bison

European bison, scientifically known as Bison bonasus, currently find themselves confined to small, isolated populations throughout Europe. Their population numbers plummeted dangerously in the past, but determined conservation efforts have seen their numbers recover significantly. Now, over 7200 wild European bison roam in about 50 populations across their ancestral territory.

Some of these populations have thrived and expanded their ranges, particularly in parts of Poland, the epicenter of the European bison’s recovery. As these populations grow, so do the challenges they face. In their quest for suitable habitats, these mighty creatures increasingly find themselves navigating roads and railways.

The Road Less Traveled: Understanding the Threat

Until recently, the road ecology of European bison remained a poorly understood facet of their conservation. Previous concerns had primarily focused on linear infrastructures as barriers to their natural dispersal. These infrastructures pose a significant challenge even when they are local roads, as European bison tend to avoid habitats near roads.

Critically, despite these potential challenges, no previous study had systematically assessed the trends in European bison mortality on roads and railways. In response, a comprehensive study sought to fill this knowledge gap. The study aimed to analyze patterns and trends in European bison mortality on roads and railways, focusing on five free-ranging populations in Poland.

Dissecting the Study

Poland hosts eight European bison populations, five of which exceed 100 individuals. These populations exhibit variations in their characteristics, ranging from lowland to mountainous areas, sparse and densely populated regions, and diverse land uses. Despite these distinctions, they all face the common threat of traffic-related mortality.

The study drew upon data from multiple sources, collecting information on European bison mortality due to road and railway accidents between 2010 and 2021. Data were obtained from the European bison tissue database at Warsaw University of Life Sciences and inquiries to various state institutions involved in wildlife conservation.

The researchers standardized the data from these sources to obtain information on the time and location of each mortality event, along with the age and sex of the animals involved. Notably, the study excluded non-fatal vehicle collisions with European bison due to the lack of comprehensive data.

A Sobering Reality

The study unveiled a distressing reality: a total of 70 cases of European bison mortality on roads and railways were recorded in Poland between 2010 and 2021. However, these accidents were not distributed uniformly across populations. Instead, they were concentrated in three specific regions: Białowieska Forest, Knyszyńska Forest, and Zachodniopomorskie. Astonishingly, the majority (73.2%) of these cases occurred in the Zachodniopomorskie population. Notably, there was not a single recorded case of traffic-related mortality in the other two larger free-ranging populations during this period.

The Impact of Fatal Crossings

Fatalities on roads significantly outpaced those on railways, with a lone exception in the Białowieska Forest region. The analysis of sex and age demographics revealed a notable trend: adult European bison were most susceptible to accidents. Calves accounted for 12.2% of mortality cases, juveniles represented 24.4%, and adult animals made up a significant 63.4%.

The data further demonstrated that these accidents occurred in all seasons, with a noteworthy drop in the summer. Spring saw 26.8% of the accidents, summer only 16.1%, autumn tallied 32.1%, and winter rounded out at 28.6%.

A Disturbing Upward Trend

Perhaps the most alarming discovery was the increasing trend in traffic-related fatalities among European bison. This upward trajectory was particularly pronounced in the years 2020 and 2021, which saw a two-fold increase compared to 2019. What is most concerning is that this trend was not limited to one region but observed across all three areas, with Zachodniopomorskie in western Poland experiencing the most significant spike.

Remarkably, regression modeling confirmed that the number of fatalities was undeniably linked to the growing size of the European bison population in Poland. The correlation was both clear and statistically significant.

The Enigma of Zachodniopomorskie

Intriguingly, the case of Zachodniopomorskie stands out. The population size of European bison in this region is approximately half that of the populations in Białowieska Forest. The home range in Zachodniopomorskie is double the size of that in Białowieska Forest and similar to that in the Bieszczady Mountains. Despite these similarities, traffic mortality was nearly six times higher in Zachodniopomorskie than in Białowieska Forest, with no recorded fatalities in the Bieszczady Mountains. This disparity underscores the critical influence of high-traffic roads within or near European bison home ranges.

An Emerging Conservation Challenge

The European bison, once teetering on the edge of extinction, is experiencing a renaissance. These animals, through a combination of captive breeding and reintroduction, have achieved substantial population growth in several regions, including Poland. While overall mortality due to traffic accidents remains relatively low, this phenomenon may be locally significant.

For instance, traffic fatalities on roads accounted for up to 3.3% of the Zachodniopomorskie population in 2020, a notable percentage considering the already existing natural mortality. This situation does not seem to be hampering the continued growth of the population, largely due to the supplementation of individuals from other populations. However, this underscores the critical need for population-specific management in areas where European bison populations encounter high traffic volumes.

The Way Forward

The findings of this study carry profound implications for both European bison conservation and road ecology. While traffic-related mortality had been a minor concern, the study reveals its potential significance at the local level. As European bison populations continue to rise, so does the risk to these majestic creatures, as well as to human safety.

Mitigation measures should be a priority. Conservation planning must prioritize roadless areas and avoid regions with heavy traffic wherever possible. The European bison has clawed its way back from the brink of extinction, and with the right interventions, it can coexist harmoniously with the modern infrastructure that crisscrosses its homeland.

Public awareness and educational programs are also essential. Encouraging responsible driving and respecting speed limits can make a significant difference in reducing accidents. Moreover, robust monitoring and research must continue to ensure that we understand the implications of this newfound challenge and are equipped to address it effectively.

Conclusion

The threat of traffic-related mortality to European bison in Poland demands our utmost attention. As these remarkable creatures recover and expand their ranges, mitigating wildlife-vehicle collisions is a pressing concern. Our aim should be coexistence, and this requires proactive measures, education, and ongoing monitoring to protect both European bison and human lives.

This complex issue embodies the delicate balance of conserving wildlife while accommodating human development. The European bison, an enduring symbol of nature’s resilience, deserves nothing less than our dedication to safeguard its future in the face of these newfound challenges. The question remains: can we build a road to coexistence?

More info: Increasing mortality of European bison (Bison bonasus) on roads and railways
Featured image by Valdemaras D./Pexels

The post Rising Traffic Mortality Threatens European Bison Populations appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Green Heritage

In September 2023, the Dutch National Cultural Heritage Agency published a checklist highlighting endangered and vulnerable native trees and shrubs in the Netherlands, emphasizing the importance of preserving these vital components of biodiversity.

The checklist aims to draw the attention of land managers, government authorities, and environmental organizations to focus on safeguarding these threatened species within Dutch provinces, ultimately striving to sustain viable provincial populations of each listed species. The list underscores the critical role of wild (native) trees and shrubs in ancient woodlands and their interconnectedness with diverse ecosystems. It also highlights the importance of genetic diversity within populations and the risks associated with the dominance of cultivated trees.

Endangered wild trees and shrubs

Wild (native) trees and shrubs form the basis of biodiversity in ancient forests, hedgerows, hedges, and thickets. Forests with predominantly wild trees are referred to as “ancient woodland.” Trees and shrubs in these forest are the center of an extensive food web that has evolved around them. This represents native biodiversity, the result of ten thousand years of evolution in the lowlands.

Every tree or shrub species nurtures a complex network of organisms intricately linked to or reliant upon that specific botanical variety. The significance of ancient woodlands is further underscored by their forest floors, with biodiversity that is still uncharted and awaiting exploration.

In the Netherlands, around 100 native tree and shrub species have wild populations. Alarmingly, roughly half of these native species face the looming threat of extinction, with five species having already vanished across the nation.

It is estimated that about five locations with wild populations disappear in the country each year. Moreover, many local populations are (too) small and thus also threatened with extinction. Proper management of the remaining growth sites can reverse this trend and allow the populations of wild trees and shrubs in the Netherlands to grow again.

To identify the species at risk, Ecological Consulting Firm Maes, Wilde Bomen, and Landscape Management Flevoland, commissioned by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), have prepared so-called “checklists” for each province. These lists provide an overview of the threatened wild populations of native tree and shrub species by province.

Genetic diversity is the engine of evolution

A wild population of trees or shrubs boasts significantly greater genetic diversity compared to planted counterparts. Planting, even with native material, tends to yield less variation. Genetic diversity within a population enhances its resilience to climate and environmental changes, enabling certain individuals to better adapt and thrive in new conditions. To achieve this, population size matters, as each member in a natural population possesses slight differences. High genetic diversity stands as a cornerstone for wild trees and shrubs, and even in smaller populations, preservation is vital, guided by the precautionary principle. It’s crucial to note that species extinction triggers the loss of numerous other organisms.

The trade predominantly selects common trees and shrubs based on attributes beneficial to humans, including straight trunks, rapid growth, larger fruits, beautiful flowers, and ornamental leaves. This selective process has led to the reduction of natural variation and adaptability, with such trees dominating 97% of Dutch forests.

Natural forests in the Netherlands are exceedingly rare. Wild trees and shrubs on ancient growth sites occupy less than 3% of the total forest and landscape area containing trees and shrubs in the country. Even in these areas, only a fraction of the surface hosts wild trees and shrubs. Planted trees originating from various sources, timber species, invasive exotic species, and garden and park plants, often spread by wind and birds, tend to prevail, even within old forests. Consequently, new planting with native plant material lacks the same ecological value as ancient natural forests.

New planting with native plant material does not have the same value as old natural forests.

Native versus wild/autochthonous

Most native tree and shrub species have a large natural distribution in Europe. However, significant genetic differences exist within the species throughout Europe. Therefore, a distinction is made between native (or wild) and non-native trees and shrubs among native species. A native tree is not only native as a species but also locally genetically native as an individual. A native tree is part of a population that has spontaneously established itself here since the last Ice Age.

Humans may have played a role in this to some extent, but the plant material must be traceable to native populations. Old traditional forestry practices such as coppicing and pollarding have contributed to the preservation of wild trees and shrubs.

Non-native trees have a different, often unknown, origin and have been planted or naturalised outside their native range. In that way, a tree or shrub can be native to the Netherlands but not autochthonous. In this case, the plant material comes from outside the Netherlands, and/or the tree grows outside its natural distribution area. Each tree species has a natural range, and outside that range, the tree or shrub species is not native. These ranges do not necessarily align with national borders. The term “native” is imprecise, has a different definition, and does not follow national borders.

More information

The checklist includes the most endangered native species in each province, the wild population of which is threatened or vulnerable. When managing old forest cores and hedgerows, it is advisable not only to “preserve” these trees and shrubs but also to tailor the management to all wild trees and shrubs present, including those not threatened.

The checklist can be found in Appendix 2 from the RCE report “Preservation of Green Heritage.”

Which forests and landscape elements are old? These sites are displayed on the Cultural Heritage Agency’s Landscape Green Heritage map.

The post Preserving Green Heritage: Endangered Native Trees and Shrubs in the Netherlands appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

The various scenarios modeled by the scientists suggest that within a relatively short timeframe of 200 to 300 years in evolutionary terms, hybridization will result in the irreversible genetic assimilation of wildcats. This would make them indistinguishable from their domestic counterparts, mirroring situations already observed in Scotland and Hungary.

Once abundant, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), also known as the forest cat, faced extensive hunting in the 19th and 20th centuries, coupled with significant deforestation that eroded its natural habitat, causing it to vanish from parts of Europe. In Switzerland, the wildcat was nearly declared extinct, with no sightings for 25 years between 1943 and 1968. Thanks to federal protections established in 1962, the wildcat began to repopulate the forests and meadows of the Jura range, coexisting with domestic cats (Felis catus).

While they are typically considered distinct species, or even subspecies by some, wildcats and domestic cats can mate and produce fertile hybrid offspring with genomes containing elements of both species. This hybridization poses a new threat to the wildcat as it leads to gene transfers through genetic introgression. This mechanism could quickly disseminate domestic cat genes throughout the genome of the rarer wildcat, possibly leading to its extinction.

Scientists from UNIGE and the University of Zurich have previously demonstrated that wildcat genes are more extensively introgressed by domestic cat genes than the reverse. The demographic and territorial expansion of wildcats over the last half-century was identified as the primary cause of these introgressions, aligning with field observations. Bioinformatic simulation models that incorporate ecological and genetic factors suggested that about 5-10% of interactions between wild and domestic cats produce hybrid kittens. Following these findings, the computer model was further refined to project and assess the urgency of conservation efforts.

The model in the new study considers variable factors such as hybridization rates, competition for resources, and population sizes. Irrespective of the scenario, it predicts a significant introgression of domestic cat genes into the wildcat genome. Mathias Currat, a senior researcher at UNIGE, warns that this introgression remains high even when considering favorable conditions for wildcats, such as increased population sizes or a competitive edge over domestic cats in shared regions. Juan Montoya-Burgos, a co-author of the study, emphasizes that only the cessation of crossbreeding between the two species can save the wildcat from ultimate genetic replacement and extinction.

Hence, despite recent positive signs of their resurgence, the wildcat remains critically endangered. The dynamic model proposed in the UNIGE study combines demographic and spatial growth patterns of wildcat populations to forecast their future. According to various scenarios, wildcats could become indistinguishable from domestic cats in as little as 200 to 300 years, a situation already observed in Scotland and Hungary. Given the small size of the wildcat population, consisting of just a few hundred individuals, compared to over one million domestic cats in Switzerland, hybridization has a disproportionately greater impact on wildcats.

The study authors propose initiatives to significantly reduce hybridization opportunities on the fringes of wildcat territories. Strategies like sterilizing domestic cats living near farms or forests are among the suggested interventions. Female domestic cats, in particular, should be the primary focus since they are more likely to mate with male wildcats than the reverse. Taking proactive measures is not only likely to be less costly financially but also environmentally. Remaining passive could result in an irreversible threat to wildcats in the Jura region, cautions Juan Montoya-Burgos.

Source: Université de Genève
Photo: European wildcat (credits: Tambako, (CC BY-ND 2.0))

The post Wildcats threatened by domestic cats in the Jura mountains appeared first on Rewilding Academy.

Paul A. Baribault, president/CEO of San Diego Zoo Global, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in saving endangered species. He applauded this remarkable achievement, attributing it to their multidisciplinary approach, collaboration with top scientific minds, and the utilization of genetic material stored in their wildlife DNA biobank.

The birth of this cloned foal, a species first, holds promise as a valuable model for future conservation endeavors. Ryan Phelan, executive director of Revive & Restore, highlighted the potential of advanced reproductive technologies, including cloning, to rescue species by restoring lost genetic diversity.

This cloned foal, named “Kurt” in honor of Kurt Benirschke, M.D., a key figure in founding the Frozen Zoo and the conservation research program at San Diego Zoo Global, represents a significant milestone in Przewalski’s horse conservation. Cloned from a cell line preserved since 1980, this stallion has the potential to introduce crucial genetic diversity to the Przewalski’s horse population once he matures and successfully breeds.

Bob Wiese Ph.D., chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global, expressed hope that Kurt would play a pivotal role in preserving the genetic variation vital for the future of the Przewalski’s horse population.

The Przewalski’s horse, once extinct in the wild, has survived in zoos worldwide for four decades, with all surviving horses tracing their lineage to 12 Przewalski’s horses born in the wild. Although intensive breeding programs have helped recover the species, they have also resulted in losses of genetic diversity. However, the availability of living cells stored in the Frozen Zoo has opened the door to technologies like cloning, which can now halt these losses.

While reintroductions since the 1990s have established wild herds in China and Mongolia, preserving genetic diversity remains vital for the species’ long-term survival.

Advanced reproductive technologies are well-established in domestic horses and cattle, but their application to endangered species has been limited. Kurt’s successful birth underscores the potential of these techniques in conservation efforts, both now and in the future.

Shawn Walker, chief science officer at ViaGen Equine, reported that Kurt was born healthy and reproductively normal, exhibiting typical foal behaviors like head-butting and demanding milk from his surrogate mother.

ViaGen Equine, based in Texas, has collaborated with Timber Creek Veterinary for over 15 years, having cloned hundreds of horses worldwide using proven equine cloning techniques.

Revive & Restore, a wildlife conservation organization based in Sausalito, California, is at the forefront of promoting biotechnologies in conservation. Founded in 2012, their mission is to enhance biodiversity by applying 21st-century biotechnology to rescue endangered and extinct species.

San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to wildlife conservation extends to on-site efforts at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, along with international field programs across six continents. Their work reaches over a billion people annually, spanning 150 countries through various media channels, children’s hospitals, and global supporters dedicated to saving species from the brink of extinction.

Source: San Diego Zoo
Photo: Scott Stine/San Diego Zoo Global

The post Cloned Przewalski’s Foal’s Birth Offers Genetic Diversity for Endangered Species appeared first on Rewilding Academy.