brown bear Good news this morning: Europe's key animals are making a comeback—not startling, but animal and bird populations are building up.
Over the past few centuries, animals in Europe have not fared well. Hunting, habitat loss, and pollution sent animals into decline.
The researchers from Zoological Society of London, Birdlife and the European Bird Census Council looked at 18 mammals and 19 bird species found across Europe. Mammals are doing the best. Over the past 50 years, conservationists say species such as bears, wolves, lynx, eagles and vultures have increased in numbers.
They found that all, apart from the Iberian lynx, had increased in abundance from the 1960s.
Over the past few centuries, animals in Europe have not fared well. Hunting, habitat loss, and pollution sent animals into decline.
The researchers from Zoological Society of London, Birdlife and the European Bird Census Council looked at 18 mammals and 19 bird species found across Europe. Mammals are doing the best. Over the past 50 years, conservationists say species such as bears, wolves, lynx, eagles and vultures have increased in numbers.
They found that all, apart from the Iberian lynx, had increased in abundance from the 1960s.
www.flickr.com The largest increases were for the European bison, the Eurasian beaver, the white-headed duck, some populations of the pink-footed goose and the barnacle goose. These had all increased by more than 3,000% during the past five decades.
For top predators such as the brown bear, numbers have doubled. And for the grey wolf, which saw serious losses in the past, populations have climbed by 30%.
The reasons for the increase in wildlife numbers points to conservation schemes and the fact that people are leaving the country to live in cities. This could all be reversed if the population increases, and more land is cleared for food production. The study group intends to keep a close eye on future changes. But for now, the same blueprint can be used across the conservation movement globally.
This news is so heartwarming. The figures show that humans are not totally destroying the environment. We're leaving places for birds and animals to live, hunt, and breed. I see a rosy future.
For top predators such as the brown bear, numbers have doubled. And for the grey wolf, which saw serious losses in the past, populations have climbed by 30%.
The reasons for the increase in wildlife numbers points to conservation schemes and the fact that people are leaving the country to live in cities. This could all be reversed if the population increases, and more land is cleared for food production. The study group intends to keep a close eye on future changes. But for now, the same blueprint can be used across the conservation movement globally.
This news is so heartwarming. The figures show that humans are not totally destroying the environment. We're leaving places for birds and animals to live, hunt, and breed. I see a rosy future.
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