The ambitious revitalization works at Schwalbeninsel in the Donau-Auen National Park, Austria, carried out within the LIFE WILDislands project, are progressing at impressive speed. The work was launched in October and at the same time heavy machinery has already completed the planned interruption of the training wall, lowered the embankment at the island tip, and is now fully engaged in the rip-rap removal along the bank.
In addition, after it became clear that the viadonau team would be able to implement the entire restoration package, including the removal of an historical embankment inside the floodplain forest, further on-site samples were carried out. These help locate the large stones and guide the upcoming work steps precisely.
Throughout the construction phase, Donau-Auen National Park experts and interns are present on site to ensure that wildlife and habitats are protected as much as possible. Our dedicated intern Paul from Romania has already rescued around 200 mussel shells moving them to a safe location in their natural habitat.
At the same time, many forest inhabitants seem eager to reclaim the newly restored banks. A beaver family has already dug a fresh burrow while the excavators are still active! This gives an exciting glimpse of what is to come: once the full 3 kilometres of riverbank are freed from the artificial stone wall and dynamic, natural river processes return, Schwalbeninsel will become a true paradise for Danube wildlife!
We will keep you posted as the restoration continues!
