Over six years of work, LIFE LANNER set out to confront one of the most urgent conservation challenges in Italy: the rapid decline of the Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus feldeggii), a species for which our country holds the majority of the European breeding population. When the project began, the situation was already critical. In Lazio, the falcon had disappeared as a breeder, and nationwide numbers had collapsed from more than 150 pairs to around 50. Reversing this trend required a combination of scientific knowledge, fieldwork, and long‑term commitment.

Rebuilding a population, one chick at a time

One of the most significant achievements of LIFE LANNER was the establishment of the first public breeding centre in the European Union capable of successfully reproducing the Lanner Falcon. At the Monti Cimini – Lago di Vico Wildlife Rescue Centre, dedicated aviaries and a specialised nursery allowed staff to raise young falcons with the highest welfare standards. Between 2022 and 2026, 16 chicks were born and released, marking a milestone for ex‑situ conservation of the species.

The release phase relied on a refined form of controlled hacking: a gradual process in which young falcons spend several weeks in a protected structure before choosing to leave it voluntarily. This method, improved year after year, led to an exceptional result — a 100% independence success rate in the last three years. No other project in Europe had ever achieved such outcomes for this or other species.

Understanding how young falcons explore the world

To evaluate the effectiveness of the releases, LIFE LANNER equipped the young falcons with GPS transmitters. Their movements revealed a remarkable pattern: the birds dispersed across the entire Italian peninsula, reaching regions historically occupied by the species and even travelling as far as Sicily. They selected the same habitats used by wild Lanners — open landscapes, isolated trees, rocky areas, and powerline poles — demonstrating that the released individuals behaved exactly like their wild counterparts.

All tracked falcons eventually reached areas within 5 km of historical or current breeding sites, a strong indication that the release strategy successfully restored natural ecological behaviour.

Reducing threats in the landscape

Electrocution emerged as one of the most serious risks for young falcons. Although hacking ensured excellent survival in the first months, several individuals died later on powerline poles far from the release area. In response, the project collaborated with e‑distribuzione to secure 363 poles, far exceeding the initial target. This intervention not only protects Lanners but also benefits many other raptor species that use poles as perches.

Restoring the habitats the species depends on

The Lanner Falcon is a hunter of open spaces. Over the last decades, many of these habitats have been lost due to shrub encroachment. LIFE LANNER restored around 130 hectares of open areas near the release site and former breeding territories, reopening grasslands and pastures essential for hunting. Traditional water troughs were refurbished, and protected areas were supported in planning long‑term maintenance, ensuring that these landscapes remain suitable for the species in the future.

A genetic identity for the European Lanner Falcon

The project also produced the first modern genetic framework for Falco biarmicus feldeggii. By analysing 167 individuals, including museum specimens, researchers identified a set of molecular markers capable of distinguishing the European subspecies from other members of the Hierofalco group. This work now allows conservationists to verify the origin of individuals, assess kinship, and support both captive breeding and wild population monitoring.

A national picture after twenty years

LIFE LANNER coordinated the first nationwide monitoring of the species since 2001. Across 266 sites, ornithologists from all regions collaborated to update the status of the population. The results confirmed the severity of the decline: only 44–56 breeding pairs remain in Italy. Although alarming, this updated picture is essential for planning future conservation actions and for understanding where efforts must be concentrated.

Building a network of rescue centres

Wildlife rescue centres often receive injured or debilitated raptors, providing valuable information on threats and population trends. LIFE LANNER created a coordinated national network, gathering 354 records from 38 centres across Italy. This database is now the most comprehensive collection of information on falcon recoveries in the country.

Training, communication and long‑term vision

The project invested heavily in training regional and provincial staff, producing guidelines, videos, articles, and participating in scientific conferences. Public awareness grew significantly, culminating in a national TV feature that reached more than a million viewers.

Finally, LIFE LANNER developed an After‑LIFE plan to ensure continuity: ongoing monitoring, maintenance of hacking structures and open habitats, continued breeding, genetic analyses, and coordination with rescue centres. These actions will continue for at least five years, supported by a dedicated annual budget.

A foundation for the future

LIFE LANNER did not simply carry out isolated actions — it built a long‑term conservation infrastructure. A functioning breeding centre, proven release techniques, updated national data, safer landscapes, restored habitats, a genetic identification system, and a national rescue‑centre network now form a solid foundation for the recovery of the Lanner Falcon in Italy.

The species remains fragile, but thanks to LIFE LANNER, its future is no longer left to chance.