The Great Bustard is inherently linked to agricultural areas throughout its life cycle. Rare and sensitive species, such as the strictly protected Great Bustard are more adversely impacted by the changes resulting from environmental and agricultural transformations. As the Great Bustard is a ground-nesting species, characterised by relatively slow development (incubation and chick rearing lasts for 4 months), both eggs and chicks are heavily exposed to predatory pressure. Eggs are most often consumed by the red fox, the carrion crow and the raven while chicks routinely fall prey to foxes as well as predatory birds. Alien predators, mainly raccoons and raccoon dogs play a significant role in predation in some regions such as Germany. For these reasons, game management practices play an important role in Great Bustard protection.