Rewilding the Velebit Mountains: 2024 in Review

In 2024, Augmentum and Rewilding Europe continued their three-year collaboration to restore and protect the Velebit Mountains in Croatia. Through the work of the Rewilding Velebit Foundation (RVF), substantial progress was achieved across five priority areas: restoring trophic chains, natural grazing, rewilding forests, marine rewilding, and community engagement.

Restoring Trophic Chains

• 15 red deer released in neighbouring hunting concessions, marking a significant step in restoring natural ecosystem dynamics.

• Creation of a vulture feeding station, the first in Croatia managed by a private entity, to support the recovery of the endangered griffon vulture.

• Feasibility study for Alpine ibex reintroduction, with further analyses planned.

• Acquisition of VHF and thermal imaging devices to strengthen real-time wildlife monitoring.

• Establishment of the Velebit Wildlife Community, providing coexistence measures, educational materials, and conflict-prevention tools.

• Construction of the first mobile wildlife watching hide, adaptable across the Velebit landscape for research and visitor engagement.

Natural Grazing

• Progress made towards recognition of the Tauros cattle as a distinct breed, with the aim of future wild status.

• Installation of two plant-monitoring exclosures in the Lika Plain to track biodiversity and support education.

• Purchase of a new safari vehicle, enabling guided tours to showcase wild horses, Tauros, and local biodiversity.

• Launch of the “Lika Bag”, a nature-based product featuring sustainably produced items from local businesses.

Rewilding Forests

• Mapping of natural forest ecosystems across the entire Velebit Nature Park, creating the most comprehensive database of its kind in the region.

• Introduction of a protocol to reduce unnecessary sanitary felling, potentially saving more than 236,000 fir trees annually.

• Analysis and recommendations to improve forest management, extend rotation periods, and enhance biodiversity.

• Signing of two new agreements with neighbouring hunting concessions, extending RVF’s influence to 152,000 hectares.

• Submission of proposals to amend the Croatian Hunting Law, including the creation of large no-hunting zones and dedicated breeding areas for chamois.

Marine Rewilding

• Launch of marine habitat and species inventories around four islands off the Croatian coast.

• Findings revealed damage from anchoring, dredging, illegal shellfish extraction, and marine litter.

• These results will guide the development of Marine Protected Areas within the Velebit concession zone.

Building Engagement

• Delivery of workshops and training for hunters, beekeepers, and young people, including demonstrations of non-lead ammunition.

• Participation in the Autumn in Lika fair, engaging over 800 visitors.

• Organisation of four photo exhibitions, attracting more than 4,400 attendees.

• Creation of branded materials—t-shirts, bags, booklets, and notepads—with proceeds reinvested into rewilding.

• Growth of RVF’s online presence, reaching 200,000 impressions on Facebook and 80,000 impressions on Instagram in 2024.

Looking Forward

The achievements of 2024 demonstrate the value of rewilding as a strategy for ecological restoration, sustainable development, and community involvement. With continued support, the Velebit Mountains are set to become a model for large-scale conservation in Europe, where people and nature thrive together.