Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

The European turtle dove: a success story of adaptive game management

The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) , a vulnerable migratory bird, has recently shown signs of recovery thanks to the implementation of an adaptive game management system . This species, whose population has declined alarmingly in recent decades in Europe, remains a game species in several countries, including Spain. However, the joint action of authorities and scientists has taken an important step toward its conservation.

An Action Plan to Reverse the Decline

Faced with the drastic decline of the European turtle dove, in 2018 the European Commission , in collaboration with a research group led by the Institute for Research in Game Resources (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) , launched an International Action Plan . This plan focuses on establishing adaptive hunting management that will carefully regulate hunting of the species, a fundamental step towards its protection. By creating population models and simulating different scenarios, scientists concluded that a moratorium on hunting would be key to giving the species a chance of recovery.

Source: IREC

Implementation of the moratorium and initial results

The recommendation to impose a moratorium on the entire turtle dove flyway was implemented in 2021 , marking a pause in hunting that was to be maintained until adequate sustainability measures were in place. This decision has been fundamental in the increase in the species' population in the Western Flyway, which registered a notable increase in the first two years. According to data from the Pan-European Breeding Monitoring Programme for Common Birds (PECBMS) , in 2021 the turtle dove reached its lowest level with 1.56 million breeding pairs in this flyway. However, in 2023, coinciding with the moratorium, the population increased to 1.96 million pairs , a 25% increase in just two years.

Comparison of migration routes: West and Central-East

While the complete moratorium on the western route showed encouraging results, the strategy on the central-eastern route, where the decline was less severe, was limited to reducing hunting pressure without suspending it entirely. This resulted in a continued downward trend, which in 2023 reached its historic low of 0.56 million pairs , a 15% decrease from 2021. These data confirm that the temporary hunting moratorium has been a highly effective measure on the western route, helping the species recover.

Climate challenges and future prospects

Field observations in Spain, a key country for turtle dove conservation, indicate that the moratorium has coincided with adverse weather conditions, such as droughts and heat waves , which reduced reproductive success over the past two years. However, the hunting ban has increased individual survival , laying the groundwork for population recovery. This progress allows us to consider the possibility of sustainable hunting in the future, based on scientific knowledge and within the framework of adaptive game management .

European turtledove

A model for the management of threatened game species

The case of the European turtle dove has marked a milestone in the adaptive management of game species in Europe, being the first system of its kind applied to a terrestrial bird on a large scale. This model of cooperation between science and conservation policies has set a precedent, and the European Commission has decided to extend this approach to manage other species with unfavorable conservation status. Collaboration between science and public policies represents a concrete example of the potential of informed decisions, demonstrating that species protection can be compatible with hunting activities.

The recovery of the European turtle dove is not only good news for European biodiversity, but also an inspiring example of sustainable wildlife management and a testament to the benefits of cooperation between science and conservation.

Would you like to learn more about conservation projects that hunters have collaborated on? We recommend this blog: Iberian Lynx, a breakthrough in conservation.

Related content

Wild Garoz: Una Aventura de Caza y Taxidermia
april 4, 2025
Read article ->
Did you know you can use a red dot sight on top of your scope?
march 31, 2025
Read article ->
How to make roe deer burgers?
march 28, 2025
Read article ->
The Return of Wolf Hunting in Spain
march 21, 2025
Read article ->
10 Must-Haves for Roe Deer Season
march 14, 2025
Read article ->
Is a red dot sight worth it for a shotgun?
march 10, 2025
Read article ->
How to get started in beekeeping
march 7, 2025
Read article ->
What optics should I use for big game hunting?
march 3, 2025
Read article ->
Information about the Gaim hunting simulator
february 28, 2025
Read article ->
3 Uncommon Roe Deer Calibers
february 21, 2025
Read article ->
Karelian bears, the northern wild boar dog breed
february 14, 2025
Read article ->
Top 5 Best Valentine's Day Gifts
february 7, 2025
Read article ->
Rutting deer hunting in Spain
january 24, 2025
Read article ->
Southern Hunts and Northern Hunts
january 10, 2025
Read article ->
Trichinosis in wild boar: where should samples be tested?
november 15, 2024
Read article ->
Wild Menor, YWH's first small game hunting series
november 8, 2024
Read article ->
Hunting wild boars in El Encinarejo
october 30, 2024
Read article ->
"The Northern Roe Deer", the adventure with Beretta and RWS
october 9, 2024
Read article ->
RWS, the perfect ammunition for hunting the "Northern Roe Deer"
october 4, 2024
Read article ->
The best Beretta products for hunting the "Roe deer of the North"
september 27, 2024
Read article ->
Fox hunting in England
september 13, 2024
Read article ->
Memoirs of a Sheepdog
september 4, 2024
Read article ->
5 Essential Items to Start the Rut
august 30, 2024
Read article ->
Argentina, the paradise of small game hunting
august 23, 2024
Read article ->
Manipulation of statistics on dog abandonment: Is the hunting sector being criminalised?
august 16, 2024
Read article ->
Which bird to choose for falconry?
august 9, 2024
Read article ->
Tips for the mid-season
august 2, 2024
Read article ->
The nightly waits for wild boar
july 26, 2024
Read article ->
The roe deer's rut, when it starts and recommendations
july 19, 2024
Read article ->
When does the mid-season begin?
july 12, 2024
Read article ->
How to obtain a hunting license?
july 5, 2024
Read article ->
Wild Namibia 2.0, the adventure
july 3, 2024
Read article ->
Rivers Edge and Barronett, tree stands and blinds
june 28, 2024
Read article ->
The Iberian lynx, a success in conservation
june 21, 2024
Read article ->
Learn to understand a roe deer's reactions to a shot
june 14, 2024
Read article ->
How does drought affect hunting?
june 6, 2024
Read article ->
Silvestrismo, origin and Mediterranean tradition
may 24, 2024
Read article ->
How to butcher a roe deer?
may 17, 2024
Read article ->
Chamois, "the princes of the mountains"
may 10, 2024
Read article ->
What ungulates are there in our National Parks?
may 3, 2024
Read article ->
Bison in the Andújar mountain range
april 26, 2024
Read article ->
Verhunt, elegance and comfort
april 19, 2024
Read article ->
BCN Outdoor, every gram counts
april 11, 2024
Read article ->
Blood trail dogs, breeds and recommendations
april 11, 2024
Read article ->
We enter the roe deer season
april 4, 2024
Read article ->
BCN Outdoor, what you are looking for at your fingertips
march 26, 2024
Read article ->
Mountain deer hunting
march 21, 2024
Read article ->
Get to know the European hunting fairs this spring
march 14, 2024
Read article ->
The best gifts for Father's Day
march 12, 2024
Read article ->
0