Originally, the Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) occurred in Bavaria and Austria in more than 250 rivers occupying more than 7,400 km of rivers. Nowadays, populations in »very good« and »good« status exist in only 0.7 % and 7.1 % of the original distribution. Therefore, the Danube salmon is classified as an endangered species. Due to ongoing stock declines the Danube salmon is running the risk to become a critically endangered species soon. The main reasons for the declines are river channelization and hydropower development. In addition, climate change may further contribute to stock declines in lowland river sections due to exceedance of water temperature limits of this cold-water species. Furthermore, Danube salmon and prey fish populations have lost their resilience to cope with re-established populations of fish predators (cormorant, goosander, fish otter) leading to ongoing population declines. Effective protection against further degradations such as new hydropower developments is required to safeguard the Danube salmon remaining populations. Furthermore, degraded rivers need to be restored and fish predators have to be managed to allow recovery of Danube salmon and prey fish populations. Due to the precarious situation conservation and restoration actions have to be implemented immediately.