07 Sep, 10
As part of the "The Wolf Full, The Lamb Alive" project, financed by the EU PHARE programme and initiated by FWFF and the Municipality of Strumyani, FWFF co-organised along with the Municipality of Strumyani a successful international conference entitled "Threatened Scavenging Species Protection and Livestock Defense from Predator Attacks in NATURA 2000"
The 4 day conference attended by over 50 delegates representing more than 15 organisations from all over the Balkans and Western Europe was held in the picturesque town of Melnik in SW Bulgaria, the heart of FWFF's compensation programme working area.
The aim of the conference was to share information and ideas on reducing the man/predator conflict and protection of large carnivore species such as the Bear, Lynx, Wolf as well as Vultures and other bird of prey species with a special emphasis on NATURA 2000 sites.
And on this topic it was deemed a fantastic success with a rich and informative variety of over 25 presentations on topics ranging from "Habitat Modeling for Brown Bears and its Applications for NATURA 2000 Designation" to "The Poisoning of Wildlife in Bulgaria, Actions Against the Use of Poison Baits in the Natural Environment".
A particular highlight of the conference was the presentation given by the Austrian Dr Richard Zink on "Trans-boundary Monitoring and Maintaining of a Database for Bearded Vulture Observations" which talked about a new website Richard had developed which co-ordinated over 5000 Bearded Vulture recorders in the Alps. The potential for such a system for bird of prey monitoring in the Balkans is immense and many people (if not all) walked away inspired.
FWFF also took the opportunity to inform the world about its preliminary results of the experimental release of Griffon Vultures at Kotel Mountain (more information) which provoked an informative and lively debate on the results.
The last day of the conference was reserved for the Balkans Egyptian Vulture Working Group which used the time to strategise the conservation of this enigmatic but sadly severely endangered species.
The 4 day conference attended by over 50 delegates representing more than 15 organisations from all over the Balkans and Western Europe was held in the picturesque town of Melnik in SW Bulgaria, the heart of FWFF's compensation programme working area.
The aim of the conference was to share information and ideas on reducing the man/predator conflict and protection of large carnivore species such as the Bear, Lynx, Wolf as well as Vultures and other bird of prey species with a special emphasis on NATURA 2000 sites.
And on this topic it was deemed a fantastic success with a rich and informative variety of over 25 presentations on topics ranging from "Habitat Modeling for Brown Bears and its Applications for NATURA 2000 Designation" to "The Poisoning of Wildlife in Bulgaria, Actions Against the Use of Poison Baits in the Natural Environment".
A particular highlight of the conference was the presentation given by the Austrian Dr Richard Zink on "Trans-boundary Monitoring and Maintaining of a Database for Bearded Vulture Observations" which talked about a new website Richard had developed which co-ordinated over 5000 Bearded Vulture recorders in the Alps. The potential for such a system for bird of prey monitoring in the Balkans is immense and many people (if not all) walked away inspired.
FWFF also took the opportunity to inform the world about its preliminary results of the experimental release of Griffon Vultures at Kotel Mountain (more information) which provoked an informative and lively debate on the results.
The last day of the conference was reserved for the Balkans Egyptian Vulture Working Group which used the time to strategise the conservation of this enigmatic but sadly severely endangered species.
Reintrodcution of Griffon Vulture in Pirin
The Re-introduction of Griffon Vulture in Pirin Mountain started
Long time prepared the first release of Griffon Vultures in Kresna Gorge of Pirin Mountain in SW Bulgaria became possible after the joint effort of the Spanish organization GREFA and the Bulgarian Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna. The results until now are more than promissing. The first breeding attempt recorded in the Gorge after more than 60 years of absence of the species. at leaset 2 more breeding pairs making breeding dislpalys. 8-9 permanently present birds at the feeding site. 3-5 exogenus birds were atracted. Local people get more and more familiar with vultures, wildlife and the conservation efforts of FWFF. The Compensation programe for depredated livestock carried out by FWFF is now fully supporting the conservation of the vultures as well as decreases the man/predators conflict.
Latest news
- One Day Birds of Prey Observations in Kotel
- Egyptian Vultures again present in Kotel in 2010
- Griffon vulture released in Kotel from FWFF observed in Kresna Gorge
- It is the third year the Fund for Wild Flora & Fauna (FWFF) organizes the Festival of Transhumance in the town of Kotel, Bulgaria.
- Official presentation of project “Return the vultures” on the 15th of April at the hotel “Saint Sofia” in Sofia
Karakachan dog
The goal of this project is to restore the Karakachan dog as a livestock guarding dog throughout Bulgaria.
During communist times all the farms were collectivized so only large herds of livestock existed which were permanently watched over by shepherds and were kept securely locked up in state farms at night. This made the role of the Karakachan as a guard dog redundant and the breed came close to extinction.
The goal of this project is to restore the Karakachan dog as a livestock guarding dog throughout Bulgaria.During communist times all the farms were collectivized so only large herds of livestock existed which were permanently watched over by shepherds and were kept securely locked up in state farms at night. This made the role of the Karakachan as a guard dog redundant and the breed came close to extinction. More...
Prevention is Better Than Cure
After decades of inappropriate management, many European conservation projects dedicated to the restoration of natural habitats end up being lost. However, we believe that we currently have a huge opportunity to save the wildlife thriving in this special part of Bulgaria.
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