News

Albania still a death trap for migrating birds?

Since March 2014 there has been an absolute ban on bird hunting in Albania. Officially. But in fact masses of migrating birds are still being shot by poachers. In his article “ Killing field for Migrating Birds“ in the online magazine „Yale Environment 360“ Phil Mc Kenna reports on the the situation he saw in Albania.

Mystery Adriatic Flyway

Only a few years ago, even among experts the Western Balkans was a blank area on the map of bird migrations. But today we know that millions of birds use this route twice a year to migrate between their breeding and their wintering grounds. The film “Adriatic Flyway” is vividly and impressively depicting, what threats the migratory birds are facing on their journey, why it is so important to preserve the valuable wetlands along the Eastern Adriatic as resting grounds for cranes, ferruginous ducks and others, and why there’s every reason for hope.

See the film on vimeo

Exceptional dedication for European symbol of peace

Today the Czech environmental and nature protection organisation Hnutí Duha (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic) received the EuroNatur Award 2014. Hnutí Duha has been for two decades working for the protection of National Park Šumava in an exemplary manner. Šumava is an important part of the European Green Belt.

Crime Scene Adriatic Coast

The protection of the migrating birds was the central focus of the Second Adriatic Flyway Conference which took place from 1st to 3rd October in Albania. More than 70 experts from 20 countries congregated for the conference in Durres.

No more bears in Albanian bars!

“Brown bears belong in nature, not in cages,” says Gabriel Schwaderer, head of the EuroNatur foundation. This is also the message of the recent video documentary “bears belong to nature” produced by EuroNatur’s partners the PPNEA, which puts the spotlight on the subject of Bears in Captivity in Albania for the first time.

From Iron Curtain to Lifeline for Nature

The transformation of the Iron Curtain into a lifeline for Nature is the great vision that inspires the “European Green Belt” nature initiative. The contributions of Hnutí Duha, the Czech environmental and nature conservation initiative, are crucial to the realisation of this idea. This october the organisation will be given the EuroNatur Award.

Sava floods: Floodplains save life and property

While the worst part of the recent floods in the Sava basin seem to be over, it is crucial to analyse their drivers and consider the lessons to be learned. Together with its partners EuroNatur presents a flood mitigation concept working with nature rather than against it.

Nearly 100,000 against dams in Mavrovo National Park

One of Europe‘s oldest national parks shall remain free of new dams. Until yesterday 97,804 people signed a letter of protest against two projected hydropower plants inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. Today, the petition was handed over to the Macedonian Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski. This action was part of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign.

Wolf, Egyptian Vulture, Black Pennant, and Black Widow recorded at the Vjosa River in Albania

In the context of the Days of Biodiversity an initiative of the German GEO magazine – an international field research event took place at the Vjosa river in Albania in mid-June. The remarkable results will be published in the latest issue of the GEO magazine, which will be released tomorrow.

Dangerous journey to the wintering grounds

Millions of birds migrate along the so-called Adriatic Flyway from Central, Northern and Eastern Europe or Siberia across the Adriatic Sea to Africa. But every year the eastern Adriatic region becomes a death trap to far more than two million migratory birds.