Wildlife comeback in Europe - in pictures

Female wild boar (Sus scrofa), Alladale, Scotland. The wild boar has experienced a large increase in abundance and distribution since the mid-20th century, due to deliberate and accidental reintroductions, favourable environmental conditions, hunting control, improved food availability and land abandonment. It has increased by 404% since 1960 to a total population of nearly 4 million individuals Photograph: Peter Cairns/Wild Wonders of Europe

The European bison (Bison bonasus), the largest herbivore in Europe, became extinct in the wild in the early 20th century due to severe hunting pressure and habitat loss. After a large-scale breeding and reintroduction programme, wild populations have been re-established in areas of central and eastern Europe, with strongholds in Poland and Belarus. The population now totals nearly 3,000 individuals, and has increased by 3084% since 1960 Photograph: Stefano Unterthiner/Wild Wonders of Europe

The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), one of the largest birds of prey in the world, has made an impressive recovery following dramatic declines and extinctions in many countries between 1800 and 1970. Following legal protection, the European population grew from less than 2,500 pairs in 1970 to 9,600 pairs in 2010, and the species has recently recolonised parts of its former range in northern and central Europe Photograph: Staffan Widstrand/Wild Wonders of Europe

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), once widely distributed but reduced to 1,200 individuals at the beginning of the 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss, has seen a 14,055% increase in population since 1960 to around 337,500 individuals today. With the help of hunting restrictions and reintroduction schemes, the species has also expanded its range by 650% across the continent, and is now found in at least 25 countries, including the UK Photograph: Blickwinkel/Alamy

Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Lake Kerkini, Macedonia. This is a globally threatened species due to habitat loss and persecution. But in Europe the species has shown a remarkable recovery, especially in Greece, where it has benefited from targeted conservation efforts, increasing by 289% since 1995 Photograph: Jari Peltomäki/Wild Wonders of Europe

Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos), Suomussalmi, Finland. The second largest mammalian predator in Europe was once widely distributed but now lives mostly in forested and mountain areas with low levels of human activity. As a result of legislation, species management and education, its population has increased by 108% to 16,929 individuals since 1960. However despite increasing population trends, it remains threatened by habitat loss and is increasingly coming into contact with people as its range expands Photograph: Staffan Widstrand/Wild Wonders of Europe

Common crane (Grus grus), Lake Hornborga, Sweden. This species has suffered from loss of habitat and hunting, but its numbers have increased dramatically since the 1960s. The species has recolonised breeding areas in the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark and western and southern Germany while wintering areas have also expanded Photograph: Stefano Untherthiner/Wild Wonders of Europe

The Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), Gredos mountains, Spain has declined due to overexploitation, poaching, infection and competition with other species. However legal protection, relocation and reintroductions and new habitat resulting from land abandonment have increased the species' distribution and population by 855% since 1960. There are now around 50,000 individuals Photograph: Staffan Widstrand/Wild Wonders of Europe

The Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) suffered dramatic population declines as a result of habitat loss, caused by drainage of wetlands in the 19th century. Habitat protection and management has seen a 187% increase in numbers since 1995 Photograph: Markus Varesvuo/Wild Wonders of Europe

Of the 18 mammals surveyed, only the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is still declining, with a decrease of 84% since 1965 and only 279 individuals thought to remain in the wild Photograph: Pete Oxford/Wild Wonders of Europe