European Rewilding Network
ERN1307
Velebit Mountains
Rewilding the Velebit Mountains
This dramatic mountain chain, right on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, is one of the wildest areas of the whole Mediterranean. A region where wild nature is really coming back.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
Situated on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the 145-kilometre long Velebit massif is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse regions in the Balkans.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
The area hosts an extraordinary diversity of different habitats, from barren Mediterranean landscapes at sea level, via vast beech forest of central European type, to almost boreal systems and alpine grasslands at higher altitudes.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
Velebit rewilding team is working to create a wildlife and ecological corridor in the heart of the Velebit mountains.
On the Lika Plains, a scenic grassland located in the foothills of Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is working to reintroduce wild and semi-wild grazers; the animals live in social herds without direct human management and are steadily moving toward self-sufficiency.
Velebit mountain chain, right on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, is one of the wildest areas of the whole Mediterranean. A region where wild nature is really coming back. It hosts two national parks, a biosphere reserve and several wonderful old-growth forests, deep canyons, ancient open lands and exciting wildlife like Balkan chamois, red deer, brown bear, wolf and lynx. Over the last decades, many local inhabitants have moved out of the area towards the coast. As a result, many areas of this beautiful region are now characterised by land abandonment, rural exodus and fading cultural tradition. Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to transform the challenges of rural abandonment into opportunities.
Thanks to ongoing rewilding efforts, the diverse wildlife of the Velebit Mountains in Croatia is making a gradual resurgence. With four hunting concessions, Rewilding Velebit controls wildlife management in an area of 22,500 hectares, forming a vital linkage for wildlife moving between the North Velebit and Paklenica National Parks. Here rewilding is offering a fresh approach to wildlife management and underpinning the development of a local nature-based economy. It promotes a more progressive vision for the region – one that works on a transition from traditional hunting practices to developing a wildlife-based economy where wildlife watching, photography and guiding become new drivers.
On the Lika Plains, a scenic grassland located in the foothills of Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is working with local partner Rewilding Velebit to reintroduce wild and semi-wild grazers; the animals live in social herds without direct human management and are steadily moving toward self-sufficiency. The restoration of grazing on the Lika Plains is already changing the landscape, with the first signs of dynamic mosaic habitats now visible. The comeback of wild herbivores is also supporting the restoration of trophic cascades, as carnivores such as wolves, bears and lynx prey on them. The Lika Plains showcase the benefits of allowing natural processes to create wild, unmanaged landscapes. With part of the site visible from the highway connecting Zagreb with Croatia’s southern coast, the presence of large herbivores a positive synergy between ecological, business and tourism interests.
Project:
Velebit Mountains
Region:
Velebit mountains
Type of protection:
Velebit Nature Park (200,000 ha) and two National Parks (Sjeverni Velebit and Paklenica). Natura 2000.
Habitat types:
Velebit is a mosaic of diverse habitats - forests, grasslands, rocks, screes and rare aquatic habitats. No element of this mosaic is completely independent from the others, because many species use more than one type of habitat. In addition, the boundaries between habitats are not clearly delineated, but merge into one another in transitional areas, which are often the richest in life forms.
It may seem to us that this landscape has always been like this, however, the reality is quite different. Its present appearance is the result of a long development process and a multitude of influences.
The essential habitats for these endemic plant species are the rocks and "gulles" (western Velebit slope), caves, rivers (Krupa and Zrmanja), as well as alpine meadows and grasslands. Among the Velebit endemics is the Velebit degenia (Degenia velebitica), the Croatian sibbirhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. Croatica), the Velebit bellflower (Campanula velebitica), the Window bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata), Kitajbel's primrose (Primula kitaibeliana), the Velebit dianthus (Dianthus velebiticus)...
The rocky grounds and cliffs of Velebit are also home to peculiar and exquisite plant species - roseroot (Rhodiola rosea), Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), twin-flowered violet (Viola biflora), creeping saxifrage (Saxifraga rotundifolia), mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and others.
Although forest habitats predominate on Velebit, the alpine meadows and grasslands are very important to the conservation of its overall biodiversity. The most widespread forest association in the mountain-vegetation belt, the beech forest with large red dead nettle (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum), inhabits altitudes below 900 meters. At altitudes above 800 m, dwell the Dinaric beech and fir forests (Omphalodo-Fagetum). The coastal beech forest with autumn moor grass (Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum) prevails on the rocky plateaus above 1000 m. Subalpine forests of beech and hollyfern (Polystycho lonchitis-fagetum) inhabit areas from 1100 to 1650 m above sea level that are typically covered in snow, have a short vegetation period, and are exposed to strong winds. The trees of these forests are bent at their lower section under the weight of the enduring snow. The main features of the top-most landscape are the bare, karst formations that alternate with forest valleys and dry grassland areas.
It may seem to us that this landscape has always been like this, however, the reality is quite different. Its present appearance is the result of a long development process and a multitude of influences.
The essential habitats for these endemic plant species are the rocks and "gulles" (western Velebit slope), caves, rivers (Krupa and Zrmanja), as well as alpine meadows and grasslands. Among the Velebit endemics is the Velebit degenia (Degenia velebitica), the Croatian sibbirhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. Croatica), the Velebit bellflower (Campanula velebitica), the Window bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata), Kitajbel's primrose (Primula kitaibeliana), the Velebit dianthus (Dianthus velebiticus)...
The rocky grounds and cliffs of Velebit are also home to peculiar and exquisite plant species - roseroot (Rhodiola rosea), Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), twin-flowered violet (Viola biflora), creeping saxifrage (Saxifraga rotundifolia), mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and others.
Although forest habitats predominate on Velebit, the alpine meadows and grasslands are very important to the conservation of its overall biodiversity. The most widespread forest association in the mountain-vegetation belt, the beech forest with large red dead nettle (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum), inhabits altitudes below 900 meters. At altitudes above 800 m, dwell the Dinaric beech and fir forests (Omphalodo-Fagetum). The coastal beech forest with autumn moor grass (Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum) prevails on the rocky plateaus above 1000 m. Subalpine forests of beech and hollyfern (Polystycho lonchitis-fagetum) inhabit areas from 1100 to 1650 m above sea level that are typically covered in snow, have a short vegetation period, and are exposed to strong winds. The trees of these forests are bent at their lower section under the weight of the enduring snow. The main features of the top-most landscape are the bare, karst formations that alternate with forest valleys and dry grassland areas.
Keystone species:
Velebit is home to 1854 registered plant species, of which 79 are endemic. Such a great many endemic species is why Velebit is often called "the centre of endemism" of this part of Europe.
Fauna (mega) species present:
Bears, wolves, lynx, fox, marten, wild cat, badger, deer, chamois, roe deer, wild boar, capercaillie, rabbit, partridge, griffon vulture ...
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
The main goal of this project is that cooperation with scientific institutions, hunting associations and the local landowners develop an action plan to increase the number of wild and grazing animals to ensure preservation of the natural regime pastures, without the need for human intervention.
To increase wildlife numbers by decreasing hunting pressure through policy and field actions in close collaboration with the hunter community. Wildlife watching is already seen as an economic alternative to unprofitable hunting. Chamois is a symbolic species and we want to boost its numbers.
Uniqueness of the project:
The Velebit mountain chain is, together with its surrounding lowlands and sea, one of the largest and best protected wilderness areas in Mediterranean Europe.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
The unbroken ecological integrity of the Velebit ecosystems has been preserved, and at the same time large areas of it have become much wilder, with a number of core rewilding areas hat have no-hunting-no-logging regimes, along the ridge of the mountains.
Results so far:
Our work to create a wildlife corridor in the Velebit Mountains took an important step forward with the acquisition of another hunting acquisition in 2020. With four concessions in total, Rewilding Velebit now controls an area of 22,500 hectares where the team is working on a transition from traditional hunting practices to developing a wildlife-based economy.
A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of two wildlife hides in this reserve. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the area’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination
Two projects have been completed with the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Forestry. The first provided an expert basis for the designation of Ramino Korito as a special forest reserve, while the second focused on the mapping and protection of brown bear dens in the Velebit Nature Park.
A study to determine the historical presence of large wild mammals was completed, proving the previous existence in the area of ibex and other species of potential interest for reintroduction.
The 23,000-ha Velebit Wildlife Reserve hunting concession has been secured in the heart of the rewilding area, including three offshore islands. Camera traps have been set in the rewilding area to monitor wildlife presence and behaviour.
A natural grazing pilot was started in the 53,000-ha Licko Polje Natura 2000 site(Lika Plains). An agreement on grazing rights saw herds of Tauros and horses relocated to the area. As of January 2021 the total number of big grazers in the area stands at around 220 (80 Bosnian mountain and konik horses and 140 Tauros).
44 red deer have been released into the Velebit Wildlife Reserve to boost the population in an area where there is a hunting cessation.
A temporary ban on the hunting of red deer and Balkan chamois was approved by Croatian hunting authorities.
The Velebit Mountains is now a REC role model, with three loans already provided in support of rewilding enterprises in the area. Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch, Guslice & Melnice Honey,and Mons Baebius Mountain Cottage.
Three wildlife watching hides had been constructed, placed and opened in the Velebit Wildlife Reserve. Wildlife watching in the Velebit rewilding area is now offered as a bookable activity by the European Safari Company, with a tourist vehicle purchased to support wildlife watching business operations.
Memorandums of cooperation were signed with two parks within the Velebit rewilding area – the Velebit Nature Park and Northern Velebit National Park. This will enable wide ranging collaboration in the fields of wild nature conservation and the development of a nature-based economy.
A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of two wildlife hides in this reserve. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the area’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination
Two projects have been completed with the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Forestry. The first provided an expert basis for the designation of Ramino Korito as a special forest reserve, while the second focused on the mapping and protection of brown bear dens in the Velebit Nature Park.
A study to determine the historical presence of large wild mammals was completed, proving the previous existence in the area of ibex and other species of potential interest for reintroduction.
The 23,000-ha Velebit Wildlife Reserve hunting concession has been secured in the heart of the rewilding area, including three offshore islands. Camera traps have been set in the rewilding area to monitor wildlife presence and behaviour.
A natural grazing pilot was started in the 53,000-ha Licko Polje Natura 2000 site(Lika Plains). An agreement on grazing rights saw herds of Tauros and horses relocated to the area. As of January 2021 the total number of big grazers in the area stands at around 220 (80 Bosnian mountain and konik horses and 140 Tauros).
44 red deer have been released into the Velebit Wildlife Reserve to boost the population in an area where there is a hunting cessation.
A temporary ban on the hunting of red deer and Balkan chamois was approved by Croatian hunting authorities.
The Velebit Mountains is now a REC role model, with three loans already provided in support of rewilding enterprises in the area. Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch, Guslice & Melnice Honey,and Mons Baebius Mountain Cottage.
Three wildlife watching hides had been constructed, placed and opened in the Velebit Wildlife Reserve. Wildlife watching in the Velebit rewilding area is now offered as a bookable activity by the European Safari Company, with a tourist vehicle purchased to support wildlife watching business operations.
Memorandums of cooperation were signed with two parks within the Velebit rewilding area – the Velebit Nature Park and Northern Velebit National Park. This will enable wide ranging collaboration in the fields of wild nature conservation and the development of a nature-based economy.
Inspirational value:
In Velebit rewilding area our team works at a unique European haven with interrelation of mountain and the Adriatic Sea. The mountain has a specific ecosystem, with soft habitat boundaries, where there is a change of both biodiversity and climate starting from North and going to the South end of Velebit mountain range.
Experience you would like to share:
The challenges of raising awareness and educating the local people about the nature based tourism opportunities and possibilities of creating added value to their products and services. Establishing and sustaining good cooperation with the hunting society with the efforts to create no take zones. Survey implementation and methodology.
Experience you would like to gain:
Management of wildlife watching facilities, vulture conservation, raising awareness on nature conservation, fundraising.
Country
Croatia
Start year
2012
Size (ha)
220000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous
Natural process
Bark beetle, Natural grazing, Predation
Flagship species
Bear, Fallow deer, Feral boar, Feral cattle, Feral horses, Lynx, Red deer, Roe deer, Wolf
Member of:
This dramatic mountain chain, right on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, is one of the wildest areas of the whole Mediterranean. A region where wild nature is really coming back.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
Situated on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the 145-kilometre long Velebit massif is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse regions in the Balkans.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
The area hosts an extraordinary diversity of different habitats, from barren Mediterranean landscapes at sea level, via vast beech forest of central European type, to almost boreal systems and alpine grasslands at higher altitudes.
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
Velebit rewilding team is working to create a wildlife and ecological corridor in the heart of the Velebit mountains.
On the Lika Plains, a scenic grassland located in the foothills of Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is working to reintroduce wild and semi-wild grazers; the animals live in social herds without direct human management and are steadily moving toward self-sufficiency.
Velebit mountain chain, right on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, is one of the wildest areas of the whole Mediterranean. A region where wild nature is really coming back. It hosts two national parks, a biosphere reserve and several wonderful old-growth forests, deep canyons, ancient open lands and exciting wildlife like Balkan chamois, red deer, brown bear, wolf and lynx. Over the last decades, many local inhabitants have moved out of the area towards the coast. As a result, many areas of this beautiful region are now characterised by land abandonment, rural exodus and fading cultural tradition. Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to transform the challenges of rural abandonment into opportunities.
Thanks to ongoing rewilding efforts, the diverse wildlife of the Velebit Mountains in Croatia is making a gradual resurgence. With four hunting concessions, Rewilding Velebit controls wildlife management in an area of 22,500 hectares, forming a vital linkage for wildlife moving between the North Velebit and Paklenica National Parks. Here rewilding is offering a fresh approach to wildlife management and underpinning the development of a local nature-based economy. It promotes a more progressive vision for the region – one that works on a transition from traditional hunting practices to developing a wildlife-based economy where wildlife watching, photography and guiding become new drivers.
On the Lika Plains, a scenic grassland located in the foothills of Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is working with local partner Rewilding Velebit to reintroduce wild and semi-wild grazers; the animals live in social herds without direct human management and are steadily moving toward self-sufficiency. The restoration of grazing on the Lika Plains is already changing the landscape, with the first signs of dynamic mosaic habitats now visible. The comeback of wild herbivores is also supporting the restoration of trophic cascades, as carnivores such as wolves, bears and lynx prey on them. The Lika Plains showcase the benefits of allowing natural processes to create wild, unmanaged landscapes. With part of the site visible from the highway connecting Zagreb with Croatia’s southern coast, the presence of large herbivores a positive synergy between ecological, business and tourism interests.
Country
Croatia
Start year
2012
Size (ha)
220000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous
Natural process
Bark beetle, Natural grazing, Predation
Flagship species
Bear, Fallow deer, Feral boar, Feral cattle, Feral horses, Lynx, Red deer, Roe deer, Wolf
Specification
Project:
Velebit Mountains
Region:
Velebit mountains
Type of protection:
Velebit Nature Park (200,000 ha) and two National Parks (Sjeverni Velebit and Paklenica). Natura 2000.
Habitat types:
Velebit is a mosaic of diverse habitats - forests, grasslands, rocks, screes and rare aquatic habitats. No element of this mosaic is completely independent from the others, because many species use more than one type of habitat. In addition, the boundaries between habitats are not clearly delineated, but merge into one another in transitional areas, which are often the richest in life forms.
It may seem to us that this landscape has always been like this, however, the reality is quite different. Its present appearance is the result of a long development process and a multitude of influences.
The essential habitats for these endemic plant species are the rocks and "gulles" (western Velebit slope), caves, rivers (Krupa and Zrmanja), as well as alpine meadows and grasslands. Among the Velebit endemics is the Velebit degenia (Degenia velebitica), the Croatian sibbirhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. Croatica), the Velebit bellflower (Campanula velebitica), the Window bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata), Kitajbel's primrose (Primula kitaibeliana), the Velebit dianthus (Dianthus velebiticus)...
The rocky grounds and cliffs of Velebit are also home to peculiar and exquisite plant species - roseroot (Rhodiola rosea), Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), twin-flowered violet (Viola biflora), creeping saxifrage (Saxifraga rotundifolia), mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and others.
Although forest habitats predominate on Velebit, the alpine meadows and grasslands are very important to the conservation of its overall biodiversity. The most widespread forest association in the mountain-vegetation belt, the beech forest with large red dead nettle (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum), inhabits altitudes below 900 meters. At altitudes above 800 m, dwell the Dinaric beech and fir forests (Omphalodo-Fagetum). The coastal beech forest with autumn moor grass (Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum) prevails on the rocky plateaus above 1000 m. Subalpine forests of beech and hollyfern (Polystycho lonchitis-fagetum) inhabit areas from 1100 to 1650 m above sea level that are typically covered in snow, have a short vegetation period, and are exposed to strong winds. The trees of these forests are bent at their lower section under the weight of the enduring snow. The main features of the top-most landscape are the bare, karst formations that alternate with forest valleys and dry grassland areas.
It may seem to us that this landscape has always been like this, however, the reality is quite different. Its present appearance is the result of a long development process and a multitude of influences.
The essential habitats for these endemic plant species are the rocks and "gulles" (western Velebit slope), caves, rivers (Krupa and Zrmanja), as well as alpine meadows and grasslands. Among the Velebit endemics is the Velebit degenia (Degenia velebitica), the Croatian sibbirhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. Croatica), the Velebit bellflower (Campanula velebitica), the Window bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata), Kitajbel's primrose (Primula kitaibeliana), the Velebit dianthus (Dianthus velebiticus)...
The rocky grounds and cliffs of Velebit are also home to peculiar and exquisite plant species - roseroot (Rhodiola rosea), Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), twin-flowered violet (Viola biflora), creeping saxifrage (Saxifraga rotundifolia), mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and others.
Although forest habitats predominate on Velebit, the alpine meadows and grasslands are very important to the conservation of its overall biodiversity. The most widespread forest association in the mountain-vegetation belt, the beech forest with large red dead nettle (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum), inhabits altitudes below 900 meters. At altitudes above 800 m, dwell the Dinaric beech and fir forests (Omphalodo-Fagetum). The coastal beech forest with autumn moor grass (Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum) prevails on the rocky plateaus above 1000 m. Subalpine forests of beech and hollyfern (Polystycho lonchitis-fagetum) inhabit areas from 1100 to 1650 m above sea level that are typically covered in snow, have a short vegetation period, and are exposed to strong winds. The trees of these forests are bent at their lower section under the weight of the enduring snow. The main features of the top-most landscape are the bare, karst formations that alternate with forest valleys and dry grassland areas.
Keystone species:
Velebit is home to 1854 registered plant species, of which 79 are endemic. Such a great many endemic species is why Velebit is often called "the centre of endemism" of this part of Europe.
Fauna (mega) species present:
Bears, wolves, lynx, fox, marten, wild cat, badger, deer, chamois, roe deer, wild boar, capercaillie, rabbit, partridge, griffon vulture ...
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
The main goal of this project is that cooperation with scientific institutions, hunting associations and the local landowners develop an action plan to increase the number of wild and grazing animals to ensure preservation of the natural regime pastures, without the need for human intervention.
To increase wildlife numbers by decreasing hunting pressure through policy and field actions in close collaboration with the hunter community. Wildlife watching is already seen as an economic alternative to unprofitable hunting. Chamois is a symbolic species and we want to boost its numbers.
Uniqueness of the project:
The Velebit mountain chain is, together with its surrounding lowlands and sea, one of the largest and best protected wilderness areas in Mediterranean Europe.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
The unbroken ecological integrity of the Velebit ecosystems has been preserved, and at the same time large areas of it have become much wilder, with a number of core rewilding areas hat have no-hunting-no-logging regimes, along the ridge of the mountains.
Results so far:
Our work to create a wildlife corridor in the Velebit Mountains took an important step forward with the acquisition of another hunting acquisition in 2020. With four concessions in total, Rewilding Velebit now controls an area of 22,500 hectares where the team is working on a transition from traditional hunting practices to developing a wildlife-based economy.
A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of two wildlife hides in this reserve. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the area’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination
Two projects have been completed with the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Forestry. The first provided an expert basis for the designation of Ramino Korito as a special forest reserve, while the second focused on the mapping and protection of brown bear dens in the Velebit Nature Park.
A study to determine the historical presence of large wild mammals was completed, proving the previous existence in the area of ibex and other species of potential interest for reintroduction.
The 23,000-ha Velebit Wildlife Reserve hunting concession has been secured in the heart of the rewilding area, including three offshore islands. Camera traps have been set in the rewilding area to monitor wildlife presence and behaviour.
A natural grazing pilot was started in the 53,000-ha Licko Polje Natura 2000 site(Lika Plains). An agreement on grazing rights saw herds of Tauros and horses relocated to the area. As of January 2021 the total number of big grazers in the area stands at around 220 (80 Bosnian mountain and konik horses and 140 Tauros).
44 red deer have been released into the Velebit Wildlife Reserve to boost the population in an area where there is a hunting cessation.
A temporary ban on the hunting of red deer and Balkan chamois was approved by Croatian hunting authorities.
The Velebit Mountains is now a REC role model, with three loans already provided in support of rewilding enterprises in the area. Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch, Guslice & Melnice Honey,and Mons Baebius Mountain Cottage.
Three wildlife watching hides had been constructed, placed and opened in the Velebit Wildlife Reserve. Wildlife watching in the Velebit rewilding area is now offered as a bookable activity by the European Safari Company, with a tourist vehicle purchased to support wildlife watching business operations.
Memorandums of cooperation were signed with two parks within the Velebit rewilding area – the Velebit Nature Park and Northern Velebit National Park. This will enable wide ranging collaboration in the fields of wild nature conservation and the development of a nature-based economy.
A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of two wildlife hides in this reserve. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the area’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination
Two projects have been completed with the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Forestry. The first provided an expert basis for the designation of Ramino Korito as a special forest reserve, while the second focused on the mapping and protection of brown bear dens in the Velebit Nature Park.
A study to determine the historical presence of large wild mammals was completed, proving the previous existence in the area of ibex and other species of potential interest for reintroduction.
The 23,000-ha Velebit Wildlife Reserve hunting concession has been secured in the heart of the rewilding area, including three offshore islands. Camera traps have been set in the rewilding area to monitor wildlife presence and behaviour.
A natural grazing pilot was started in the 53,000-ha Licko Polje Natura 2000 site(Lika Plains). An agreement on grazing rights saw herds of Tauros and horses relocated to the area. As of January 2021 the total number of big grazers in the area stands at around 220 (80 Bosnian mountain and konik horses and 140 Tauros).
44 red deer have been released into the Velebit Wildlife Reserve to boost the population in an area where there is a hunting cessation.
A temporary ban on the hunting of red deer and Balkan chamois was approved by Croatian hunting authorities.
The Velebit Mountains is now a REC role model, with three loans already provided in support of rewilding enterprises in the area. Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch, Guslice & Melnice Honey,and Mons Baebius Mountain Cottage.
Three wildlife watching hides had been constructed, placed and opened in the Velebit Wildlife Reserve. Wildlife watching in the Velebit rewilding area is now offered as a bookable activity by the European Safari Company, with a tourist vehicle purchased to support wildlife watching business operations.
Memorandums of cooperation were signed with two parks within the Velebit rewilding area – the Velebit Nature Park and Northern Velebit National Park. This will enable wide ranging collaboration in the fields of wild nature conservation and the development of a nature-based economy.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
In Velebit rewilding area our team works at a unique European haven with interrelation of mountain and the Adriatic Sea. The mountain has a specific ecosystem, with soft habitat boundaries, where there is a change of both biodiversity and climate starting from North and going to the South end of Velebit mountain range.
Experience you would like to share:
The challenges of raising awareness and educating the local people about the nature based tourism opportunities and possibilities of creating added value to their products and services. Establishing and sustaining good cooperation with the hunting society with the efforts to create no take zones. Survey implementation and methodology.
Experience you would like to gain:
Management of wildlife watching facilities, vulture conservation, raising awareness on nature conservation, fundraising.
Member of: