The “Endangered Species of the Year” programme continues in 2026. After focusing our efforts on the conservation of the European roller in the inaugural year of the programme, next year will be dedicated to the conservation of the Eastern imperial eagle.

Following the discovery of the first Eastern imperial eagle nest by ornithologists from the Milvus Group in 2016, in 2024 we managed to locate a record number of nine territories in western Romania where the species’ presence was confirmed. That year, three pairs successfully bred, resulting in at least four fledglings.

Despite this encouraging result, in 2025 we identified only the three pairs that had nested the previous year, without obtaining conclusive data on their breeding success.

Why the Eastern imperial eagle?

This species is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as “Vulnerable” and is considered “Critically Endangered” in Romania.

In order to carry out effective conservation activities, it is essential to first have a clear picture of the eagle population in Romania. This requires field assessments: intensive searches to identify breeding pairs, locating potential nests, and monitoring nesting activity.

After completing these steps, we will be able to install, where appropriate, artificial nests and monitoring cameras to observe the breeding process more closely and obtain valuable footage of the eagles’ life.

Additionally, in the year dedicated to the Eastern imperial eagle, we also aim to plant trees, as one of the reasons the species has become critically endangered is the disappearance of solitary trees and lines of old trees in quiet areas, free from human activities—exactly the places that once provided suitable nesting conditions.

Nature counts on us – and we count on you too! Help make the “Endangered Species of the Year” programme a success – because every species matters!