In the far eastern corner of Croatia, where the Danube and Drava rivers converge, lies one of Europe’s hidden gems: Kopački Rit Nature Park. This unique wetland, a lush expanse of lakes, marshes and flooded forests, is one of the continent’s most important natural habitats. At the heart of this ecosystem soars the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), a magnificent bird whose fate is closely interwoven with the health of the region’s biodiversity.
Kopački Rit sits within the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, a transboundary area spanning five countries that is often referred to as the “Amazon of Europe”. A major effort to protect and restore this landscape is the Mura-Drava-Danube project, led by WWF Adria and supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme. This work is helping to restore natural river dynamics, improve habitat quality and support species like the white-tailed eagle across the entire river corridor.
The white-tailed eagle is one of Europe’s largest birds of prey, with a wingspan stretching over 2.4 metres. Known for its striking white tail, powerful yellow beak and sharp eyes, the eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom. In Kopački Rit, these majestic birds have found sanctuary. They nest in towering trees and hunt across the expansive wetlands, thriving in an environment that remains largely undisturbed by human activity.
A Symbol of Hope
The presence of white-tailed eagles in Kopački Rit is a testament to the richness of the ecosystem. As apex predators, their survival depends on healthy populations of fish, waterfowl and small mammals. This makes them both an indicator species and a guardian of the landscape. For the local community, the eagle is also a symbol of resilience, showing that people and nature can thrive together when ecosystems are protected and restored.
A comprehensive bird survey across Kopački Rit has provided new insights into the park’s avian population. The survey documented 281 bird species, including several endangered species such as the black stork, squacco heron, pygmy cormorant and marsh harrier. During the winter months, tens of thousands of geese spend the season on the grasslands of Kopački Rit. The park is also a critical stopover and wintering site for numerous duck species. This is one of the reasons it has been designated as a Ramsar site.
Particularly noteworthy were the findings related to the white-tailed eagle. In the area of Kopački Rit, there are at least 84 to 86 nesting sites, depending on the year. This makes it one of the most important breeding areas for the species in Croatia and across the wider Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve.
However, the survey also highlighted ongoing concerns, including habitat degradation and climate change, which continue to threaten the future of the white-tailed eagle. Once, the wetlands of Kopački Rit thrived under the natural rhythm of the Danube and Drava rivers. Seasonal floods breathed life into every corner of the landscape. Over time, however, human interventions such as the construction of dikes, river regulation, hydropower plants and climate changes have disrupted this delicate balance. As the waters stopped flowing freely, the floodplain lost water, and the ecosystem slowly lost the dynamic pulse that once sustained its incredible biodiversity.
A Shared Responsibility
Conservation programmes have played a pivotal role in preserving this balance of life, helping species like the white-tailed eagle continue to thrive.
In recent years, efforts to protect Kopački Rit have intensified. Local and international organisations have worked to restore natural habitats, reduce pollution and limit human disturbance.
But conservation is not just about protecting wildlife. It is also about supporting the local community. The people living in villages around Kopački Rit have a deep connection to the land and waters that sustain them. For generations, they have relied on the wetlands for fishing, farming and tourism. Today, these communities are key players in conservation efforts, recognising that the health of the environment is directly tied to their own well-being.
Benefits of Conservation for the Local Community
Sustainable tourism has become a cornerstone of Kopački Rit’s conservation strategy. Birdwatchers, nature lovers and photographers from around the world are drawn to the park, eager to catch a glimpse of the white-tailed eagle in its natural habitat.
Moreover, conservation efforts have created new opportunities for education and employment. Local guides are trained in eco-tourism, offering visitors a chance to learn about the park’s unique ecosystem and the importance of preserving it. Schools in nearby villages incorporate nature education into their curricula, helping to foster a new generation of environmental stewards committed to protecting Kopački Rit.
One of the most ambitious initiatives linked to Kopački Rit is the Mura-Drava-Danube project: a transboundary effort to restore and protect riverine habitats across five countries. Led by WWF Adria with support from the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, and in partnership with Nature Park Kopački Rit, Vojvodinašume, WWF Austria and WWF Hungary, the project focuses on improving the ecological health of the UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve often referred to as the “Amazon of Europe”.
In Kopački Rit, restoration efforts include clearing debris from a 2 km stretch of the Nadjhat channel to restore natural water flow and enhance habitat quality for fish, birds and other wetland species, including the white-tailed eagle.
A Shared Future
Restoration is not only about protecting species. It is about reviving the natural systems that sustain life: the land, the water and the people who depend on them.
As long as the eagle soars above Kopački Rit, there is hope. With continued commitment to restoration through projects like Mura-Drava-Danube, that hope can remain a beacon for the region: a symbol of the enduring bond between nature and the community that protects it.
