Nature Protection and Research
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Contribution to the Protection of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) (EN) |
# CE; # CON
Project Title: Contribution to the Protection of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Partners: Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, City of Cres, Nature Public Institution, Association BIOM, Association Tramuntana, Faculty of Science
Project Start Year: 2001
Status: Active
Species: Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
National Red List Status (Croatia): Endangered (EN)
This conservation project focuses on several key areas:
Ex situ Breeding and Population Reinforcement:
The project has successfully released two ex situ bred individuals into the wild, contributing to the strengthening of natural populations.
Griffon Vulture Visitor and Rehabilitation Centre, Beli, Cres:
The project has contributed to the development of this centre through several phases. During the opening and establishment, we shared expert knowledge in the creation and implementation of educational programs, worked with architects on the design and construction of the vulture aviary, and participated in the process of obtaining permits and registering the centre. After the centre was established, we assisted in equipping the aviary for vulture rehabilitation, conducted several DNA analyses, and are now collaborating on animal husbandry practices and veterinary care.
Support for Nature Reserve Lake Cornino:
The project provided financial support for the installation of cameras to monitor griffon vultures.
Management and Action Plan Development:
Active participation in the development of management and action plans for conservation efforts.
Conservation Education:
The project promotes awareness through educational initiatives, including the organization of “Scavenger Day” to raise public understanding of the role scavengers play in ecosystems.
Summary
The project helped strengthen natural populations by releasing ex situ bred individuals back into the wild and played a key role in establishing the Griffon Vulture Visitor and Rehabilitation Centre in Beli, Cres. It also contributed to the development of management and action plans for Griffon Vultures. Currently, the project collaborates with the centre on animal husbandry practices and veterinary care while promoting awareness through educational initiatives like “Scavenger Day.”
# CE; # CON Project Title: Safe Flight – Education on Preventing Bird Collisions with Glass Surfaces Project Summary: The zoo’s actions include educating visitors about various threats to wildlife globally, particularly raising awareness of issues impacting local flora and fauna. This project aims to enhance public awareness of the need to conserve and protect local wildlife through specific objectives: educating zoo visitors and the broader community about bird collisions with glass surfaces, providing tools for addressing this issue at home, showcasing best practices within the zoo, and promoting the conservation of local wildlife among students and the general public. Specific objectives include preparing quality educational materials about wild birds, such as a publication that highlights the importance of wildlife conservation and individual impacts on local species. Best solutions were implemented at critical locations within the zoo to minimize bird fatalities due to glass collisions. Bilingual educational content (in Croatian and English) accompanies these surfaces to emphasize the importance of such solutions and encourage easy implementation at home. The zoo also motivates other institutions to adopt similar measures. The project aims to foster better connections among staff, external educators, and volunteers, enhancing both quantitative and qualitative outreach in raising awareness about local fauna conservation. It will involve the public, including “citizen scientists,” who can significantly contribute to bird conservation efforts. To promote wildlife conservation among students, a poster detailing key issues and guidance on how schools and homes can help protect birds has been created. This poster is permanently distributed to every school group participating in the zoo’s educational programs. The project actively involves the Private Artistic High School in Zagreb, where students contribute by developing design ideas for stickers that will be offered to the public as an effective solution for bird collisions with glass surfaces in private and other buildings. Summary: Collisions with human-made structures, especially glass surfaces, pose a significant threat to wild birds, which is why the Zagreb Zoo has initiated a project aimed at enhancing bird safety in its area. The project includes monitoring and protecting hazardous glass surfaces, educating visitors about the importance of bird conservation, and collaborating with local schools to develop solutions, such as designing stickers to reduce collision rates. |
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Repopulation of Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) Zrinski’s Park, Čakovec |
# CE; # CON
Project Title: Repopulation of the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Zrinski Park, Čakovec
Partners: City of Čakovec, Cedrus Forest d.o.o., Međimurje Nature – Public Institution for Nature Protection, Čakovec Elementary School
Project Start Year: 2018
Status: Active
Species: Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
National Red List Status (Croatia): Near Threatened (NT)
Project Summary:
Despite being classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List, the population of red squirrels is declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), introduced from North America to Europe in the late 20th century, poses a significant threat through indirect competition for resources.
As a partner in the project, the Zagreb Zoo is responsible for developing the project’s technical foundations, including breeding, holding, transporting, and releasing the squirrels. The release of bred red squirrels in Čakovec aims to strengthen the population, enhancing its resilience against the potential arrival of invasive grey squirrels.
Another key objective is to raise awareness and educate the residents of Čakovec about the importance of biodiversity conservation and their active involvement in protection efforts. This long-term project requires careful planning to maximize the likelihood of successful population reinforcement, and its pilot results will serve as a foundation for future release projects involving this or similar species.
Key Activities: The project involves strengthening local populations through the release of bred individuals. Additionally, capacity building efforts will be directed toward local authorities and partners, including the Public Nature Protection Institute and schools. Community education will focus on both native and invasive species. The Zagreb Zoo will participate in the breeding of squirrels, while the rehabilitation center will facilitate the recovery of wild squirrels. Finally, a soft release of squirrels will take place in Čakovec, where their population is currently scarce.
Partner Contributions: The City of Čakovec is providing financial support for the adaptation of enclosures and the procurement of necessary permits. The Regional Public Institution for Nature Protection will assist with permitting and the implementation of educational programs. The local elementary school will integrate the project into its school programs by facilitating activities such as observing squirrels and caring for feeders and nests. A private company will contribute by providing food and constructing adaptation enclosures.
Summary:
The project “Repopulation of the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the Zrinski Park area in Čakovec” aims to increase the population of red squirrels by releasing them into the wild, thereby creating a stronger population capable of withstanding threats from the invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). In collaboration with local partners, the project also includes educating citizens about biodiversity conservation and encouraging their active involvement in protecting these animals.
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SOS Stork Croatia Ciconia ciconia (LC) |
# CE; # CON; # RES
Project Name: SOS STORK Croatia
Partners: SOS Storch – Storchenzug im Wandel, Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, Euronatur
Project Start Year: 2015
Status: Active
Species: White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Species Status in Croatia (Red Book): Least Concern (LC)
Project Details:
White storks are among the most well-known migratory birds in Croatia. Their large white wings, which can span up to 1.5 meters, easily capture attention. They can be seen nesting on rooftops, telephone poles, streetlights, chimneys, and the walls of abandoned houses, as well as on artificial platforms designed to facilitate stork nesting. Although they can thrive in various habitats, ranging from African savannas and steppes to European meadows, farmlands, and wetland areas, storks also frequent urban environments where they can find safe nesting sites. In some cases, these urban areas also provide food sources.
In 2000, the Swiss NGO “Stork Switzerland” launched the “SOS Stork” project to track storks via satellite telemetry, aiming to identify and mitigate threats to storks along the western migration route. Data collected from 45 tagged individuals indicated that the behavior of storks in Western Europe has changed—many spend their first winters in landfills in Andalusia, Spain, which has significantly impacted their migration. Due to legal regulations established in 1999, the amount of organic waste in landfills had to be reduced to 3% by 2016, meaning this food source would no longer be available to storks in the same quantities.
The goal of tagging and monitoring storks is to map their migration routes along the eastern flyway, where storks from Croatia travel south. The project seeks to identify key stopover points and determine whether they are urban areas, meadows, wetlands, or landfills, as well as how far into Africa Croatian storks migrate. Additionally, the project aims to identify major dangers storks encounter, such as high-voltage power lines and open water towers. Small transmitters are attached to the storks, which send location data at regular intervals. This data is transmitted via mobile networks to a central system for processing and analysis.
The collaboration between the Zagreb Zoo and “Stork Switzerland” officially began in 2015 when we tagged a young stork in its nest in the village of Čigoč (named Maksi) and another rehabilitated stork (Lonja) with a satellite transmitter. The collaboration continued in 2016 with two adult storks (Leta and Tesla) being tagged. In 2017, we tagged three more: two adults in Čigoč (Pomona and Tesla II) and one young stork in Osekovo (Nikola). In 2018, eight more storks were tagged, followed by seven in 2019. Unfortunately, no storks were tagged in 2020 due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, in 2021, four young storks were tagged, and in 2022 and 2023, eight storks were tagged in each year. In 2024, three more young storks were tagged.
The project received the Euronatur grant for Wet Meadows and Pastures in 2015/2016. EuroNatur and partner organizations launched the wet meadow conservation project, with the European Stork Villages (ESVN) designated as flagship projects. The project aims to increase the area and quality of wet meadows and pastures within the ESVN network and promotes the exchange of ideas and expertise among Stork Villages across Europe.
For more details about the project, you can find them here: LINK
Summary:
The project for monitoring white storks is conducted by tagging individuals with satellite transmitters to track their movements. The goal is to collect detailed information about migration routes and wintering grounds, as well as to identify and reduce threats such as illegal hunting and collisions with power lines, thereby contributing to the conservation of white storks and other migratory birds along the eastern migration route. The data collected over the years provides better insight into their behaviour and helps implement more effective conservation measures.
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Contribution to the Research and the Protection of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia (LC) |
# RES
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is one of the most well-known European birds, distinguished by its recognizable appearance and important role in ecosystems. Unfortunately, during the 20th century, this species faced a significant population decline, especially in the western part of its range, leading to local extinctions in several European countries. In response to this situation, extensive reintroduction programs were initiated to restore populations in key habitats.
Zagreb Zoo actively engages in the protection of the White Stork, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity through research, rehabilitation, and education. Through various projects, the zoo not only helps strengthen the population of this species but also gains new insights into its genetic structure and ecological needs. These efforts contribute to raising awareness about the importance of nature conservation and the development of sustainable strategies for the protection of the White Stork in Croatia.
Project Name: Genetic Research of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Population: Impact of Migration and Reintroduction Programs
Partners: Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp; Murdoch University, School of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Murdoch, Australia; Royal Zoological Society of Scotland; Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland; Lund University, Sweden
Project Start Year: 2016
Status: Finished
Species: White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Species Status in Croatia (Red Book): Least Concern (LC)
Project Details:
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a distinctive European species that experienced a significant population decline in the western part of its range in the early 20th century, resulting in local extinctions in several European countries. In response to this trend, extensive reintroduction programs were initiated to restore populations in affected areas.
The research focused on characterizing the genetic structure of White Stork populations before and after the implementation of reintroduction programs. Using modern molecular methods (mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analysis), we analyzed:
- Historical and current genetic diversity of populations
- Impact of reintroduction programs on genetic structure
- Existence of possible glacial refugia in the Balkan region
The results revealed surprisingly high levels of genetic diversity and significant gene flow among populations, both temporally and geographically. Particularly interesting is the discovery that reintroduction programs have not left a significant mark on the genetic structure of today’s populations, suggesting a high level of natural mixing among individuals.
Additionally, observed differences between mitochondrial DNA and nuclear markers indicate sex-specific dispersal patterns, where gene flow is likely mediated by greater male mobility, while females show higher natal site fidelity.
This research contributes to a better understanding of population dynamics and evolutionary history of the White Stork, providing important information for future conservation efforts. It also raises new questions about the role of the Balkan region as a potential glacial refugium, which will be the subject of future research.
Summary:
Research on the genetic structure of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) populations revealed surprisingly high levels of genetic diversity and significant gene flow among populations, despite historical local extinctions and reintroduction programs. Results show that reintroduction programs had minimal impact on the genetic structure of current populations, indicating a high level of natural mixing through migration.