Waldrapp return: life-saving initiative for endangered species started!

Waldrapp return: life-saving initiative for endangered species started!

Rosegg, Österreich - On April 23 and 24, 2025, the 26th Life platform took place in the Rosegg Castle, the central theme of which was the Waldrapp, a bird species that was once threatened with extinction. At the event, experts from environmental and climate protection as well as representatives of European life projects discussed progress, challenges and future prospects in species protection. [Gailtal Journal] (https://gailtal-journal.at/aktuell/wiederansiedlung-in-akrapp- der Waldrapp- after-Mitteleuropa-zurueck/) reported that a current EU life project is aimed at stable, genetically diverse and long-term survival-capable forest population.

The challenge of protecting the Waldrapp in the Free Wildbahn remains complex. It requires comprehensive research, international cooperation and political support. State Councilor Sara Schaar emphasized the need for perseverance and scientific expertise and thanked the team of life projects and the Rosegg zoo for their use. In addition, the possibility of environmental education was promoted by a children's theater piece for the history of the Waldrapp in the region.

return to home and protective measures

The Waldrapp was native to the 17th century in Central Europe, but disappeared due to excessive hunting. A first success in the back settlement of this kind was achieved as part of the Life+project (Life+12-Bio_At_000143). From 2014 to 2019, a migrating population in the Alps was resettled. In 2019, 142 walks of the forest lived in three brood colonies north of the Alps, which shared a common wintering area in Tuscany. The protective efforts led to an almost halved loss rate through illegal bird hunt in Italy, which is an important progress. Information from Waldrapp show that despite this success, modeling showed that the population is not yet independent.

Another funding application for a sustainable further development of the Waldrapp population has already been made. The new life project (Life20 Northern soon Ibis, Life20 NAT/AT/000049) has been approved and extends from 2022 to 2028. 60 percent of the budget comes from the EU household, while the remaining 40 percent are applied by partners and co-financers.

goals and partners

The goal of the current project is to continue building the Waldrapp population until it can survive independently. Through partnerships with ten organizations from four countries, under the direction of the Schönbrunn Tiergarten in Vienna, extensive measures are to be implemented in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Gerhard Bachner, who solemnly opened the platform, is in use for species protection after many years in the "active unrest". Under his leadership, 70 life projects with a total volume of 450 million euros were realized in Austria, of which 225 million euros come from EU cofinancing. This illustrates the enormous importance of life projects for environmental and nature conservation in the region.