According to a study by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), for the last 15 years the grass habitats of the eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) have been reduced by half, compared to the period before Bulgaria's accession to the EU in 2007.

The major change is related to the conversion of large grasslands into arable land, while most of these grasslands are Natura 2000 protected areas. Through the joint LIFE project "Land for the Imperial Eagle" BSPB and farmers in "Natura 2000" areas are working to revive the traditional pasture animal farming and to restore mosaic habitats.