Wilder of the Year: European Wildlife Recovery Fund 2025 Highlights

Funding the return of key species

Launched in 2022 by Rewilding Europe European Wildlife Recovery Fund (EWCF) Aiming to expand wildlife reintroductions of key species across Europe, delivering lasting benefits to ecosystems, climate resilience and local communities. Significant progress was made last year, with many species being restored to landscapes that had long been absent or in very low numbers.

Wildlife reintroduction is inherently complex and timing is difficult to predict – procuring animals can cause long delays and only once the animals are available can everything move quickly. This makes adaptable, responsive funding a valuable tool. EWCF aims to meet this challenge and provide the support needed to transform ambition into lasting recovery of wildlife across the continent. “The fund is a flexible tool that supports the final steps of translocation,” says Sophie Monsarrat, Rewilding Landscape Manager at Rewilding Europe. “With our support we aim to have the greatest impact on wild nature through the introduction of key species.”

While the return of animals such as the European bison has become an iconic example of rewilding, it is their ecological role (not just size) that defines keystone species. From vultures and hamsters to taurus, horses and trout, the huge impact these species have on their habitats makes them vital to ecosystems across Europe. EWCF supports the return of a wide range of wildlife and promotes the return of wildlife across the continent.

In 2025, EWCF supports 23 reintroduction programs in 9 European countries, covering 17 species (28 since launch). The fund has committed more than €3 million to wildlife recovery since 2022, with almost €1 million allocated in 2025 alone. The following stories feature many of the highlights of 2025.

european bison

While bison have made a stunning comeback from the brink of extinction, their Extraordinary impact A landscape that is now the focus of rewilding efforts. By grazing, gnawing and trampling, bison carve out dense vegetation, creating a mosaic of grasslands and woodlands. Their presence also aids in nutrient cycling and soil fertility, while helping to sequester large amounts of carbon.

In 2025, Rewilding Europe supported four bison translocations through EWCF in Spain, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Azerbaijan, resulting in the release of a total of 39 bison. leader Rewilding Spainthis Free the nine bison Entering the 400 hectares of public woodland in the Iberian Highlands, you will be warmly welcomed by the El Recuenco Council and its residents. For local communities, bison represent a transformative addition to the landscape, helping to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires while creating new opportunities, jobs and income.

In the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, bison roamed freely. Since 2019its recent focus has been on expanding its scope to a 3,800-hectare site called “Zhenda”. With the support of EWCF, Eight bison released here go through Rewilding Rhodopethe goal is to increase the population to at least 50 people. Additional grants were also awarded to the Maashorst, Veluwe and Kraansvlak nature reserves in the Netherlands, among which Four bison were brought from Poland go through pulse wave network and free nature Help improve genetic diversity in existing cattle herds. EWCF funding also supports the latest chapter in the Azerbaijani bison’s comeback, led by berlin zoo and WWF Azerbaijan. 18 bison released in early 2026This brings the total number of animals in Shadaq National Park to about 90, at a time when the species has been missing from the area for more than a century.

gray vulture

Vultures are nature's cleaners and play an irreplaceable role in the ecological environment. circle of life. As the largest vulture in Europe, the gray vulture is adept at dissecting large carcasses. This brings access to a variety of other scavengers and decomposers, from foxes and other vulture species to insects and microorganisms. Together they effectively return nutrients to local ecosystems while reducing the risk of disease transmission to wildlife, livestock and humans.

Once found in the steppes of Portugal and Mongolia, today most gray vultures inhabit Spain. This makes the health and viability of these populations crucial for future reintroductions in Europe. In 2025, EWCF supports Greyfa Ten Gray Vultures were released in Els Ports and six more in the Sierra de la Demanda. As well as supporting local populations, these releases have a wider purpose: by 'rewilding Europe' Cooperate with GREFAthe Iberian Peninsula is becoming a launching pad for future reintroduction initiatives, including those in Rhodope Mountains and the central Apennines.

european hamster

Despite their small size, European hamsters can punch well above their weight grassland restoration. They increase soil fertility and help spread seeds across grasslands, while their burrows create habitat for many other species. Hamsters are also important prey for a range of birds and mammals and are an important clue in the wild grassland food web.

100 European hamsters released In 2025, travel to the Tarutino steppe in southwestern Ukraine rebuild ukraineReintroduction program ongoing. This is the largest single release since the program began in 2022, bringing the total number released on the prairie to nearly 130 birds. The Tarutino steppe is one of Europe's best examples of intact grasslands, and the reintroduction of the hamster, along with the return of the kulan, fallow deer and prairie dog, is part of a wider effort to restore the ecosystem's natural processes.

Taurus and Horse

Historically, large herbivores across Europe, such as bison and wild horses, maintained semi-open woodlands, creating diverse habitats through grazing, grazing and trampling. Since most of these species have long since disappeared, restoring animals with similar functions could restore these dynamics: acting as natural fire brigade, driving natural regeneration, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing carbon storage. Scale up as one of the most cost-effective nature-based solutions available natural grazing are becoming increasingly urgent, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where threats extreme wildfires Continued growth.

EWCF support Rebuilding Portugal 21 taurine horses and 14 semi-wild horses were released in the Ermo das Águias wildlife reserve in Portugal's Grand Coa Valley, as well as Miranda Foundation With the release six and a half wild horsess Garraf Natural Park near Barcelona. Perhaps most notably, Rewilding Spaincooperation with regional Castile-La Mancha Government celebrated a landmark moment with Government Introducing six Przewalski's horses to La Campana estate – The first to be released in the Iberian Highlands Reserve.

brown trout

Brown trout play an important role as both predator and prey. However, their importance extends further. Freshwater pearl oyster larvae attach harmlessly to the gills of trout and migrate upstream. Once established upstream, mussels filter and improve water quality for other aquatic species. In this way, the two species are deeply intertwined. If the trout disappear from the river, the mussels will no longer be able to reproduce and will eventually disappear. Restoration of brown trout populations will send ripples of recovery throughout aquatic ecosystems.

In 2025, EWCF supports Release of approximately 250,000 brown trout fry Working with three tributaries of the Rickleå river system in northern Sweden Rebuilding Sweden and city government Skellefteå. This builds on the previous year's initial release and marks an important next step in the long-term commitment needed for lasting wildlife recovery. The efforts are part of a broader river restoration program in which boulders, gravel and sand have been returned to waterways created by decades of industrial timber floating. As trout populations recover, pearl mussels are expected to repopulate naturally.

Why the return of wildlife matters

The benefits of expanding wildlife return extend far beyond nature itself. Research published in natural climate change Shows restoring wildlife populations could play key role in keeping global temperatures Below 1.5°C thresholdreintroduction is critical to help accelerate and scale these benefits. By restoring the health and function of the entire ecosystem, the return of wildlife allows nature to fulfill its full role in the ecosystem. Global carbon cycle again. This knowledge is being translated into action through the reintroduction of keystone species.

EWCF’s work sits squarely within this larger context, but its impact depends on continued support. As Sophie Monsarrat reflects: “The Fund makes a real difference by providing support where it is needed most – something that is only possible with generous donations. Since the Fund was launched in 2022, we are proud of the role it has played in scaling up reinforcement and reintroduction across Europe. The return of wild species requires a long-term commitment to have an impact that spans into the future.”

call to action

Completing wildlife reintroduction from start to finish is no easy task. Timing is everything, and funding doesn’t always line up with the moment an animal is ready to be released. Rewilding Europe recognizes this and developed the EWCF to turn viable wildlife restoration plans into reality.

this EWCF open for applications From an organization working on the reintroduction of key species across Europe. Funding is flexible and responsive, and applicants are encouraged to be ambitious in considering the scale of their releases, as lasting recovery of wildlife depends on populations ultimately being able to survive without further intervention.

If your organization is working toward this goal, we encourage you to consider Apply to obtain a grant. If you wish to support nature recovery across Europe, the European Wildlife Recovery Fund offers a way to get involved in this effort: Explore the options below: Provide funding, partnership or donation via our support page.

The European Wildlife Recovery Fund was established with financial support from: Arcadia, environmental maintenancethis Ecological Restoration Fundthis Country Postal CodeLoterijand private donations.