After a Decade of Struggle, the Imperial Eagle Returns to the Skies Above Serbia
The Imperial Eagle (lat. Aquila heliaca), a large and vulnerable raptor, is beginning to return to Serbia after being on the verge of complete disappearance from the country for nearly a decade.
TL;DR
- The Imperial Eagle is returning to Serbia after nearly disappearing.
- In less than ten years, the number of breeding pairs increased from one to 19.
- Reasons for near extinction included habitat loss, lack of food (ground squirrels), and human persecution (shooting, poisoning).
- Conservation efforts, including the EU-funded 'PannonEagle LIFE' project and work by BPSSS, have contributed to the recovery.
- Birds from Hungary also played a role in repopulating Serbia.
- Challenges remain, such as limited suitable trees, slow adaptation to artificial nests, and ongoing threats from poisoning and powerlines.
- The Imperial Eagle is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and persecution.