'Europe's key animals 'making a comeback'' diff viewer (0/1)

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on September 26, 2013 05:06 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24230765

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 Next version

Previous version 1 Next version

Version 0	Version 1
Europe's key animals 'making a comeback'	Europe's key animals 'making a comeback'
2013-09-26 05:10:29 UTC	2013-09-26 08:05:34 UTC (about 3 hours later)
Some of Europe's key animals have made a comeback over the past 50 years, a report suggests.	Some of Europe's key animals have made a comeback over the past 50 years, a report suggests.
Conservationists say species such as bears, wolves, lynx, eagles and vultures have increased in numbers.	Conservationists say species such as bears, wolves, lynx, eagles and vultures have increased in numbers.
They believe that protection, curbs on hunting and people moving away from rural areas and into cities have helped Europe's wildlife to recover.	They believe that protection, curbs on hunting and people moving away from rural areas and into cities have helped Europe's wildlife to recover.
The analysis was carried out by the Zoological Society of London, Birdlife and the European Bird Census Council.	The analysis was carried out by the Zoological Society of London, Birdlife and the European Bird Census Council.
The report was commissioned by the conservation group Rewilding Europe.	The report was commissioned by the conservation group Rewilding Europe.
Frans Schepers, the organisation's director, said: "People have this general picture of Europe that we've lost all our nature and our wildlife.	Frans Schepers, the organisation's director, said: "People have this general picture of Europe that we've lost all our nature and our wildlife.
"And I think what the rest of the world can learn from this is that conservation actually works. If we have the resources, a proper strategy, if we use our efforts, it actually works."	"And I think what the rest of the world can learn from this is that conservation actually works. If we have the resources, a proper strategy, if we use our efforts, it actually works."
Over the past few centuries, animals in Europe have not fared well. Hunting, habitat loss, and pollution have sent animals into decline.	Over the past few centuries, animals in Europe have not fared well. Hunting, habitat loss, and pollution have sent animals into decline.
But this report marks a reversal in fortunes.	But this report marks a reversal in fortunes.
The researchers looked at 18 mammals and 19 bird species found across Europe.	The researchers looked at 18 mammals and 19 bird species found across Europe.
They found that all, apart from the Iberian lynx, had increased in abundance from the 1960s.	They found that all, apart from the Iberian lynx, had increased in abundance from the 1960s.
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.	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%.	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%.
For mammals, the comeback was largest in the south and west of Europe, and their range had increased on average by about 30%. The average range of the birds remained stable.	For mammals, the comeback was largest in the south and west of Europe, and their range had increased on average by about 30%. The average range of the birds remained stable.
Mr Schepers said: "The wildlife comeback actually started after World War II in the 1950s and 1960s. Compared to the numbers in the 1600s and 1700s, it's still at a very low level, but it's coming back."	Mr Schepers said: "The wildlife comeback actually started after World War II in the 1950s and 1960s. Compared to the numbers in the 1600s and 1700s, it's still at a very low level, but it's coming back."
Global view	Global view
The researchers believe a combination of factors have been driving this return.	The researchers believe a combination of factors have been driving this return.
Legal protection in the European Union, such as the birds directive and habitats directive, had helped to revive the fortunes of species, as had dedicated conservation schemes, said Mr Schepers.	Legal protection in the European Union, such as the birds directive and habitats directive, had helped to revive the fortunes of species, as had dedicated conservation schemes, said Mr Schepers.
And while some animals are still hunted in parts of Europe, there are often limits on the number that can be killed.	And while some animals are still hunted in parts of Europe, there are often limits on the number that can be killed.
"It is also because people are leaving the countryside, which leaves more space for wildlife," said Mr Schepers.	"It is also because people are leaving the countryside, which leaves more space for wildlife," said Mr Schepers.
The recovery of some species, particularly large predators, has raised concerns. In France, for example, where wolves have recently returned, farmers are concerned that their livestock is at risk.	The recovery of some species, particularly large predators, has raised concerns. In France, for example, where wolves have recently returned, farmers are concerned that their livestock is at risk.
The report warns that this could be a growing problem, but suggests that governments should put in place compensation schemes to offset any losses for farmers. It also says that rural communities could benefit from more animals, as ecotourism could offer a boost to local economies.	The report warns that this could be a growing problem, but suggests that governments should put in place compensation schemes to offset any losses for farmers. It also says that rural communities could benefit from more animals, as ecotourism could offer a boost to local economies.
The finding is surprising when seen in the global context, where biodiversity is in continuing decline.	The finding is surprising when seen in the global context, where biodiversity is in continuing decline.
Prof Jonathan Baillie, director of conservation at the Zoological Society of London, said: "We're trying to find success stories so we can learn from them, so we can see what works and scale that up across the conservation movement globally.	Prof Jonathan Baillie, director of conservation at the Zoological Society of London, said: "We're trying to find success stories so we can learn from them, so we can see what works and scale that up across the conservation movement globally.
"And it is really important that we focus on success and where we are winning.	"And it is really important that we focus on success and where we are winning.
"But there is a massive challenges out there globally. And we have to realise that the threats that Europe creates is not just within our borders, it's internationally, and that we are having an impact on the 60% decline we're seeing in low income countries around the world."	"But there are massive challenges out there globally. And we have to realise that the threats that Europe creates are not just within our borders, it's internationally, and that we are having an impact on the 60% decline we're seeing in low income countries around the world."
He also warned that Europe's wildlife was at a pivotal moment.	He also warned that Europe's wildlife was at a pivotal moment.
"We just have to be aware that into the future there will be increasing pressure for food production and so on within Europe," he said.	"We just have to be aware that into the future there will be increasing pressure for food production and so on within Europe," he said.
"And for a lot of these species, where we have seen the gains, we might lose them again if we are not careful. So it's our job to keep our eye on the ball."	"And for a lot of these species, where we have seen the gains, we might lose them again if we are not careful. So it's our job to keep our eye on the ball."