LIFE preventing species extinction

Most LIFE Nature projects focus on conservation action ‘in-situ’, i.e. within the natural habitat of a particular threatened species. There are instances, however, where such actions are insufficient by themselves to halt the decline of a species. In those cases, ‘ex-situ’ conservation measures are required to address the threat of extinction.
More than 80 LIFE Nature projects have included ex-situ conservation measures, targeting a wide range of vulnerable species, ranging from flagship species such as the brown bear, to lesser-known but equally important and endangered species such as the Spanish toothcarp.
LIFE projects with ex-situ conservation actions have targeted mammals, birds, fish, herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), invertebrates and plants. They have also benefited whole areas and habitats, contributing to enhancing biodiversity, thereby supporting the policy goals of the EU’s Biodiversity Action Plan and the EU 2020 Biodiversity strategy.