Hope Takes Flight: Serbia's Raptor Recovery Astonishes Experts

In a significant conservation success story, Serbia has witnessed a dramatic recovery of its eastern imperial eagle population. Less than a decade ago, the country was home to just one breeding pair of this majestic raptor. Today, ornithologists documented 19 breeding pairs, with 10 pairs successfully raising young in the past year. This resurgence is a testament to the persistent work of conservationists, particularly the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS).

Decades of agricultural intensification led to extensive deforestation in regions like Vojvodina, removing crucial nesting trees for the imperial eagles. Past persecution, including shooting for sport and the use of poisons to eliminate predators, further decimated the population. The species also suffered from the loss of its primary food source, the ground squirrel, due to changing agricultural practices.

Neighboring Hungary, with a robust conservation program, became a source population, with young eagles dispersing to Serbia starting in 2011. This influx, coupled with dedicated EU-funded projects like PannonEagle Life, spurred renewed efforts. Conservationists actively protected nests, rehabilitated injured birds, and engaged local communities by highlighting the eagle's symbolic importance on Serbia's coat of arms.

Despite these advances, challenges remain. Eagles are slow to adopt artificial nesting platforms, and threats persist from widespread poisoning campaigns, despite ongoing EU initiatives like BalkanDetox Life. The expansion of wind farms and power lines, along with logistical hurdles for importing tracking equipment, add further complexity to conservation efforts. Nevertheless, the overall trend is positive, with the eagle population slowly expanding southwards.