In a remarkable comeback, the eastern imperial eagle, once on the brink of extinction in Serbia, is staging an impressive recovery. From a mere single breeding pair in 2017, the country now boasts 19 pairs, with 10 successfully raising young last year, according to the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS).
As spring approaches each year, ornithologists traverse the plains of Vojvodina, checking aged nesting sites and searching for new nests. The region, though, poses significant challenges for these majestic birds. Intensive agriculture has stripped the landscape of trees, with some municipalities reporting tree cover as low as 1%. Milan Ružić, the executive director of BPSSS, highlights the stark reality: “You can drive here for an hour and a half and not see a single tree taller than five metres.” This loss of habitat raises the question: where can eagles find a suitable nesting tree?
The decline of the eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) is attributed to several factors, including habitat destruction and persecution. Historically, the region has been marked by conflict, with many households possessing rifles, leading to the shooting of birds of prey for sport or to protect livestock. “Raptors were the enemy,” Ružić explains. After World War II, government-sponsored poisoning campaigns aimed at large carnivores inadvertently harmed birds of prey, further decimating the eagle population.
Conservation Efforts Yield Results
In the late 1980s, only two modest populations of imperial eagles remained in Serbia, one in the Deliblato Sands and another in Fruška Gora. The population in Deliblato was lost in the 1990s, and Fruška Gora’s eagles persisted until 2015. Meanwhile, Hungary has been protecting its imperial eagles for decades, growing their population from 20 pairs in the 1980s to around 550 today. As Hungary’s eagle population grew, young birds began migrating south to Serbia, starting to repopulate the area.
Following the launch of the EU-funded PannonEagle LIFE project, BPSSS took significant steps to ensure the survival of Serbia’s last breeding pair. Volunteers closely monitored nests, camping nearby to prevent disturbances. In one instance, after a storm damaged a nest, conservationists quickly removed the chicks to rebuild the structure, allowing them to survive. Today, BPSSS continues to monitor territories, rehabilitate injured eagles, and engage local communities in conservation efforts.
Community Involvement and Awareness
Community engagement has been pivotal in the recovery of the eastern imperial eagle. Ružić notes that by highlighting the dwindling eagle numbers in local discussions, they fostered a sense of pride and responsibility among villagers. “In village cafes, we would point out there were fewer imperial eagles left in the entire country than people drinking beer in the room,” he recalls. This strategy transformed the eagle into a local symbol, prompting villagers to protect them.
the imperial eagle is widely believed to be depicted on Serbia’s national coat of arms, further enhancing its status. When locals learn of an eagle nesting nearby, it becomes a point of pride for the community, leading to a decline in shooting and poisoning incidents. BPSSS has seen expanding territories with the eagle population moving south along river corridors at an estimated rate of 15-20 kilometers per year.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these successes, the recovery of the eastern imperial eagle remains fragile. The scarcity of trees continues to pose a significant threat, as these birds are sluggish to adapt to artificial nesting platforms. “They don’t trust them,” admits Ružić. The issue of wildlife poisoning persists, despite Serbia’s involvement in the BalkanDetox Life project aimed at eradicating such practices. Toxic pesticides remain accessible, deeply ingrained in local culture as a quick solution to pest problems.
Infrastructure developments, such as power lines and wind farms, too threaten the birds, as conservationists face opposition from various stakeholders. Ružić describes his experiences with local investors and farmers, highlighting the tensions that arise over conservation efforts.
The Road Ahead
Currently, many of Serbia’s eagles are still young, with breeding pairs often taking up to five years to establish themselves. “They’re still learning,” Ružić explains, expressing cautious optimism for the future. If these pairs are able to survive long enough, their productivity is expected to increase with age, suggesting a positive trend ahead. “The trend has turned,” Ružić concludes. “Unless something dramatic happens, they will keep coming back.”
The ongoing efforts to protect and restore the eastern imperial eagle’s population reflect a broader commitment to biodiversity conservation in Serbia and the region. As the struggle continues, the resilience of the eagle serves as a symbol of hope for conservationists and local communities alike.
