Serbia's Imperial Eagles Stage Remarkable Recovery from Near Extinction
Once widespread across Serbia, the eastern imperial eagle faced a devastating decline that pushed this majestic raptor to the brink of extinction within the country. A combination of poisoning campaigns, extensive habitat destruction, and being shot for sport or livestock protection created a perfect storm that nearly eliminated the species from Serbian skies.
From One Pair to Promising Recovery
Less than a decade ago, conservationists faced a dire situation with only a single breeding pair remaining in the entire country. Today, the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS) has documented a remarkable turnaround, recording 19 breeding pairs last year, with 10 of those successfully raising young eagles. This represents one of the most significant conservation success stories in the Balkan region in recent years.
Each spring, before the trees in northern Serbia begin to leaf out, ornithologists from BPSSS embark on systematic surveys across the plains of Vojvodina. They meticulously check old nesting sites, scan solitary trees along field margins, and search for signs of new nests in what has become increasingly demanding yet rewarding work.
The Devastating Impact of Habitat Loss
Driving through Vojvodina reveals vast agricultural fields stretching to the horizon, crisscrossed by straight farm tracks that tell a story of intensive agriculture. As farming practices intensified over decades, oaks and poplars were systematically cut down to straighten fields and maximize crop yields, transforming Vojvodina into one of Europe's least forested regions.
"You can drive here for an hour and a half and not see a single tree taller than five meters," explains Milan Ružić, executive director of BPSSS. "Even if an eagle wants to return, the question is: to which tree?" In some municipalities, tree cover has dropped below one percent, creating a landscape fundamentally hostile to tree-nesting raptors.
Multiple Threats Converge
The lack of suitable nesting trees represents just one facet of the challenges facing imperial eagles. Historical persecution played a significant role in their decline, with the region's history of unrest and war meaning many households possessed firearms. Birds of prey were often shot for sport or perceived threats to livestock, creating a culture where raptors were viewed as enemies rather than ecological assets.
After World War II, the Yugoslav state implemented widespread poisoning campaigns targeting large carnivores like wolves and bears, distributing toxic bait to farmers and shepherds. These efforts inadvertently devastated eagle populations, as the birds would often be the first to discover poisoned carcasses left in open areas.
Agricultural intensification further compounded the problem by eliminating the eagles' primary food source. In Vojvodina, imperial eagles mainly feed on ground squirrels, or sousliks, which thrive in grazed pastures with short grass. When cattle moved into stables and traditional grazing disappeared, the souslik populations collapsed, leaving eagles without adequate food supplies.
Cross-Border Conservation Success
While Serbia was losing its eagle populations, Hungary was implementing successful conservation measures that would eventually benefit its neighbor. From just 20 pairs in the 1980s, Hungary's imperial eagle population has grown to approximately 550 pairs today through decades of dedicated protection efforts.
As Hungarian territories became saturated with breeding pairs, young eagles began dispersing southward, first arriving in Serbia in 2011. "Hungary became a source population for the region," notes Ružić, highlighting how cross-border conservation efforts can create regional benefits.
Targeted Intervention and Community Engagement
Spurred by the EU-funded PannonEagle Life project, BPSSS implemented intensive conservation measures to protect Serbia's last breeding pair. Volunteers guarded nests throughout breeding seasons, camping at safe distances to prevent disturbance from farmers, shepherds, or curious onlookers. When a storm damaged a nest shortly before fledging, conservationists temporarily removed the chicks to rebuild the structure, successfully returning them to their parents.
Today, BPSSS monitors territories, rehabilitates injured eagles, and works extensively with local communities to change attitudes toward conservation. "In village cafes, we would point out there were fewer imperial eagles left in the entire country than people drinking beer in the room," says Ružić. "People suddenly cared."
The connection to national identity has proven particularly powerful, as the imperial eagle is widely believed to be depicted on Serbia's national coat of arms. When communities learn that eagles are nesting nearby, they often develop a sense of pride and ownership that reduces threats from shooting or poisoning.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the encouraging recovery, significant challenges remain. Trees suitable for nesting remain scarce throughout much of the eagles' potential range, and imperial eagles have proven slow to adapt to artificial nesting platforms compared to other raptor species. "They don't trust them," explains Ružić. "White-tailed eagles will nest on anything – you could put a fridge in a tree and they would use it. Imperial eagles are different. They need time."
Poisoning remains a persistent threat despite Serbia's participation in the BalkanDetox Life project, an EU initiative aimed at eradicating wildlife poisoning. Toxic substances remain widely available, and the practice is deeply embedded in some rural communities. Since 2000, BPSSS has recorded approximately 300 poisoning incidents affecting wildlife.
Power lines and wind farms pose additional dangers, creating conflicts between conservationists and development interests. Political complications have also emerged, with Serbia's pro-Russia stance creating bureaucratic hurdles for importing satellite tags needed for research and monitoring.
Nevertheless, the population trend has clearly turned positive. Many of the eagles in Serbia are still young and may take up to five years before newly established pairs begin breeding successfully. "They're still learning," Ružić observes, noting that productivity typically increases as pairs age and gain experience.
The imperial eagle's recovery in Serbia demonstrates how targeted conservation efforts, cross-border cooperation, and community engagement can reverse even the most dire wildlife declines. With continued protection and habitat restoration, these majestic birds may continue their expansion southward along river corridors at an estimated rate of 15-20 kilometers per year, reclaiming their historical place in Serbia's ecosystems.
