The world population of Dalmatian pelicans has decreased drastically since the last century. Its breeding range has diminished due to agricultural and industrial development and draining of wetlands, and is now limited to eastern Europe, Central Asia and Russia. Recent conservation efforts, including legal protection, have greatly helped these pelicans. Currently, the global population of Dalmatian pelicans consists of around 20’000 individuals (or more than 8’000 breeding pairs).
