Precedings of the Project
Conservation of the Imperial Eagle since the 1970’s until Today

After the foundation of the Hungarian Bird Conservation Society (MME) in 1974 a network of enthusiastic volunteers started to work with increasing intensity and dedication on the assessment and conservation of a number of bird species breeding in Hungary. The small number of enthusiasts monitored the imperial eagle nest sites in an ever increasing area of Hungary. The detection of nest sites was utmost important to secure the broods with active conservation efforts where it was necessary. Official intervention by authorities (e.g. restrictions of forestry or hunting activities) has always been the task of the state nature conservancy (national park directorates) and it is still so today.

Beside the active conservation efforts also other factors were beneficial for the population increase, mainly phenomena accompanying the changes of the country’s political system, such as the fragmentation of huge agricultural fields, the drastic decline in the use of chemicals or changes in the attitude of hunters and gamekeepers. The first breeding attempt in lowland areas was recorded in 1989, while in 2002 a total of 30 pairs were known in the lowlands. In the year 1980 only ten breeding pairs were known in the whole country and the estimated maximum of the population was not exceeding 20 pairs, in 2002 the nests of 55 pairs were known and the population was estimated to count 60 pairs (see diagram). In 2003 67 pairs were known, out of which 62 had a nest and 57 pairs laid eggs.