Waldrapp return: hope for species protection in Carinthia!

Waldrapp return: hope for species protection in Carinthia!

Tierpark Rosegg, 9232 Rosegg, Österreich - On April 25, 2025, there was an important meeting to protect the Waldrapps (Geronticus Eremita) in Carinthia. BUND, Land Carinthia, the Austrian Research Promotion Society (FFG) and representatives of European life projects were invited. At this meeting, experts from the areas of environment, nature conservation and climate protection took part in talking about the progress and the challenges of the re -resettlement project of the Waldrapp. This bird species had disappeared in Central Europe for over 300 years before the first settled colony in the Rosegg zoo was founded in 2004, as click Carinthia

Environmental Councilor Sara Schaar emphasized the progress achieved in her speech, but also pointed out the remaining difficulties. A central goal of the current EU-Life project is to establish a stable and genetically diverse Waldrapp population. The challenges include genetic diversity, train behavior, shelter and the acceptance of the bird species in the population.

education and awareness in focus

An important aspect of the project is the educational factor. In order to promote awareness of biodiversity and nature conservation, a children's play is listed on the history of the Waldrapp. This commitment aims to spread knowledge about the importance of the forest drain and its role in the ecosystem. At the end of the meeting it became known that Gerhard Bachner, who has been responsible for the life projects in Austria for years, will retire. Under his leadership, 70 projects with a total volume of 450 million euros were initiated, whereby 225 million euros are due to EU cofinancies.

The commitment in sustainable development and biodiversity in Austria is currently around 8 million euros a year. The Life platform is a central forum for networking, ideas and project exchange in environmental and climate protection.

resettlement of the Waldrapps

Despite these successes, modeling show that the current size population is not yet independent. Therefore, another funding application was made and a second life project (Life20 Northern soon Ibis) will be implemented from 2022 to 2028. This project is supported by 60 percent of the budget from the EU budget, and the implementation takes place in partnership with ten organizations from four countries.

The EU's commitment to biodiversity and nature conservation can also be seen in the greater context of the biodiversity strategy by 2030. The EU has undertaken to protect at least 30 % of the marine and land areas and to combat the decline in pollinators in order to ensure biological diversity and food security. On the website of the European Parliament is detailed on the website of the European Parliament . .