Conservationists and hunting organisations are now working together to reintroduce fallow deer to Bulgaria’s Sakar Mountains, restoring a species that once helped shape the region’s ecosystems. This collaboration as part of the Iron Curtain to Green Belt project is strengthening natural predator-prey dynamics, reducing livestock predation by wolves, and supporting the recovery of threatened scavengers like cinereous vultures and imperial eagles.
Sakar Mountain is among the richest biodiversity areas in Bulgaria and Europe, hosting 81 species from the IUCN Red List. Sakar’s iconic eastern imperial eagles share a common territory with a number of other rare species, such as the Roach’s mouse-tailed dormouse and javelin sand boa, as well as predators like the golden jackal and grey wolf.
Wolves returned to the area around 15 years ago after a long absence, following the cessation of systematic extermination and the use of poisons, which were widespread in the second half of the 20th century. They primarily prey on deer and wild boars, however, the wild boar population has significantly declined in recent years due to an outbreak of African swine fever. The relatively small number of deer, heavily impacted by overhunting and poaching, also limits the availability of natural prey for wolves. As a result, wolves attack livestock more often, increasing the risk of conflict with farmers and the illegal use of poison baits. This could disrupt the entire food chain, with eagles and vultures particularly at risk.
If poisoning methods return, species like the imperial eagle and cinereous vulture would be especially threatened. Cinereous vultures became extinct in Bulgaria decades ago, but reintroduction programmes led by conservation NGOs in the Rhodopes and the Balkan Mountains have enabled their return. Recently, they have become a common sight in the Sakar Mountains, where they once nested until the 1960s. With their numbers increasing, conservationists hope they will resume breeding in the region. However, the low numbers of ungulates weaken the food chain, affecting both predators and many scavenging species.
To restore food chain and reduce the risk of poisoning, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB / BirdLife Bulgaria), with the financial support of the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme and the European Wildlife Comeback Fund, initiated a reintroduction programme for the fallow deer, a species that historically inhabited the Sakar Mountains.
“The reintroduction of the fallow deer is a crucial step in restoring the natural balance of the Sakar Mountains,” says Stoycho Stoychev, Conservation Director of BSPB. “By working closely with local hunting clubs and communities, we are not only bringing back a historically native species but also fostering a sense of shared responsibility for nature. Engaging local people in conservation efforts ensures long-term success and demonstrates how wildlife protection and sustainable land management can go hand in hand.”
The initiative started at the end of 2023 after BSPB partnered with the Hunting Society “Falcon” of Harmanli. BSPB supplies the fallow deer for release, while hunters from Harmanli oversee their adaptation and monitor them during the first three months after release. A total ban on deer hunting was also agreed until the population is strong enough to support sustainable hunting in the future.
The first 26 deer were released in November 2023 in western Sakar Mountain, in a carefully selected area. Monitoring of the released deer continues through camera traps and GPS tracking. While some deer have been killed by wolves, the restoration effort has been largely successful—many have adapted well to the area, and the first fawns were born in spring 2024. Encouraged by this success, other regional hunting clubs have joined the initiative. In November 2024, an additional 46 deer were released in collaboration with a neighbouring hunting club.
Engaging hunters is essential for the long-term success of deer reintroduction. Their participation helps build trust and reduces the risks of poaching and the accidental shooting of raptors, such as eagles and vultures.
Stoychev explains how reintroducing fallow deer benefits the wider ecosystem, stating, “By grazing on diverse vegetation, the deer play a vital role in shaping and maintaining open habitats, which is essential for numerous plant and animal species. As an integral part in the food chain, deer provide sustenance for predators like wolves, as well as scavengers such as cinereous vultures, imperial and white-tailed eagles that feed on their remains. Through this initiative, we are not only restoring the deer population but also fostering the revival of vultures, helping to reestablish their permanent presence in these habitats.”
To find out more about the Iron Curtain to Green Belt project, visit their project page.
