Golden Eagles in Bulgaria: Successful Recovery to 47 Pairs by 2025

25.07.2025 | Animal world

National conservation organizations have achieved remarkable progress in protecting the endangered golden eagle, increasing their population to a record 47 pairs in the country.

Снимка от Sumeet Moghe, Wikimedia Commons, под CC BY-SA 3.0

Bulgarian conservationists mark a significant triumph in conservation efforts related to the restoration of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) population. Experts from leading environmental organizations documented an unprecedented growth, reaching 47 breeding pairs on national territory.

Strategic interventions include the construction of eight artificial nests – six by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and two by the Green Balkans organization. These targeted actions expanded the geographical range of species distribution, including areas around Sakar.

A key factor in the achieved success are large-scale preventive measures on the electricity distribution infrastructure. Teams successfully isolated over 3,000 potentially dangerous electrical poles, which dramatically reduced the risk of accidental bird incidents.

The comprehensive approach includes continuous monitoring, intensive training, and active interaction with local communities. The result is the highest population size of the species in the last 25 years, demonstrating the effectiveness of national conservation programs.