A proposal by the Albanian Ornothological Society has been shortlisted by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and are up for an award for the project “Saving the Dalmatian Pelican, Albania”.
The winner of the vote will receive funding from the EOCA to help them implement the project. Voting closes today, 4 May.
The Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, stretching over 200,000 hectares is a designated Ramsar Site, an IBA, KBA and Emerald Site, as well as the only breeding place in the country for up to 2% of the Dalmatian Pelican.
Currently, the site is under threat resulting in the loss of nesting habitat for this species. These risks come in the form of poaching, climate change, intensive agriculture and uncontrolled tourism development.
The project created by AOS aims to conserve the wetland ecosystem, the fragile breeding colony of pelicans, and colonies of other important species, through encouraging stakeholders to get more involved in education, conservation and raising awareness.
“AOS will rehabilitate the pelican’s island, create new nesting sites for the breeding terns, install 50 nest-boxes for the European roller, plant 2000 seedlings of pine, restore and waymark 6 eco-tourism trails, organise 9 awareness events and create 4 bird-themed murals with the involvement of 500 representatives from communities. 3 trained local rangers and 50 volunteers will carry out night guarding and on-the-ground conservation measures,” the project proposal explains.
You can cast your vote in favour of the project here.
