Rewilding Europe

Rewilding Europe is a non-profit organization working to restore and protect wild nature in Europe through rewilding—an approach that allows nature to develop freely with minimal human interference. The organization was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Main Goals and Activities:

Restoration of natural ecosystems – Rewilding Europe restores wild landscapes by removing human interventions such as agriculture, dams, and forestry, and by facilitating natural processes like flooding, grazing, and forest regeneration.

Reintroduction of wild animals – The organization reintroduces and protects large herbivores and predators, such as:

European bison (Bison bonasus)

Wild horses and cattle (Tarpan and aurochs-inspired breeds)

Brown bear, lynx, and wolf

White-tailed eagles and vultures

Economically sustainable wild nature – Rewilding Europe promotes nature-based tourism, enabling local communities to earn income from wild nature. They collaborate with local businesses to develop sustainable business models such as wilderness tourism and organic food production.

Establishing wilderness areas in Europe – Rewilding Europe currently manages 10 major rewilding areas across Europe:

Greater Côa Valley (Portugal)

Western Iberia (Spain and Portugal)

Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria)

Danube Delta (Romania and Ukraine)

Velebit Mountains (Croatia)

Southern Carpathians (Romania)

Oder Delta (Germany and Poland)

Swedish Lapland (Sweden)

Central Apennines (Italy)

Julian Alps (Slovenia)

Conservation research and collaboration – The organization works with the EU, research institutions, and local authorities to develop strategies for restoring wild nature in Europe. They share knowledge through Rewilding Europe Capital, which supports local businesses involved in nature conservation.

Threats They Address:

Deforestation and loss of natural habitats

Lack of large herbivores → Leads to overgrown forests and reduced biodiversity

Human-wildlife conflict → Predators like wolves and bears are often hunted

Dams and artificial water regulation → Destruction of wetlands

Givskud Zoo Nature Foundation – We have chosen to support two of Rewilding Europe’s initiatives:

European Young Rewilders, which focuses on engaging young people in the rewilding movement across Europe.

An initiative in the Greater Côa Valley in Portugal, working with two of Europe’s most endangered mammals: the Iberian lynx and the Iberian wolf.

Read more:

Website: https://rewildingeurope.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildingeurope/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildingeurope/

Fotograf: Staffan Widstrand