Category: News

 

The MES members in charge of the program for protection the Balkan lynx succeeded in capturing Marko the lynx for the second time on 22 October 2010. The aim of this action was for the MES members to replace the already existing GPS/GSM device, which Marko wore for more than 7 months, as well as to take new body parameters (weight, length, etc.).

The activities are carried out in the framework of the programme SCOPES programme (Scientific Co-operation Between Eastern Europe and Switzerland) and the project “Status, ecology and land tenure of the critically endangered Balkan lynx Lynx lynx martinoi in Macedonia and Albania”.

Provided here are complete map of Marko’s home range, from the first time he was caught on 14 March 2010 until 27 October 2010, as well as pictures of the second time they caught him.

The method of working comprised positioning traps of fresh prey from Marko. The first step was locating the victim. The challenge was big because the GPS signal in the last few days was unavailable due to the weak batteries of the device. Marko was supposed to be found with a VHF antenna signal, and nobody knew where the lynx was in the last 10 days. Marko was detected during the first try, near the prey, an adult chamois, which the lynx hunted down the same day. Marko was caught on the fourth day in the afternoon, 1.5 hour after the setting of the trap. Following the protocol designed by our Swiss partners of the organisation KORA, Marko was first sedated in order to make it easier for the MES members to work with him. The GPS device was replaced with a new one, body parameters were taken and the external health condition of the fur, nails and mouth was checked. Visually, the lynx looks healthy and in the period of 7 month it put on 4-5 kilos, which is +25%.

The territory where Marko lives and moves is 331 km², which represents almost half of the territory of the Mavrovo National Park. This fact shows the need for a bigger individual territory for a normal life and development of this predator.

The fact that the lynx is not present in the bigger part of the territory of the country is but a telltale about its lacking protection, degraded habitats and reduced prey availability. Although the National strategy for protection of the biodiversity points out the need for protection of particular species, the implementation of the already existing laws should be on a much higher level than the existing one!

 

A workshop – Protection of the Balkan lynx and sustainable hunting with hunting tourism!

MES and the Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of the Jasen Multipurpose Area, together with the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation CIC in the period 28 February–2 March 2013, held their 14 meeting of CIC Coordination forum for Central Eastern Europe.

There were national delegations from 17 countries from Central Eastern Europe present at the workshop, experts from Norway, Switzerland, Finland, as well as representatives from FACE, UNDP, European Commission, Directorate – General for the Environment, Directorate B – Nature, Biodiversity and Land Use, the EU office in Skopje and representatives from embassies in the Republic of Macedonia.

The protection of the Balkan lynx and the sustainable hunting with hunting tourism were the main topics for discussion, that is, the aim of the meeting was the members of the International Council and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) to be introduced to:

–          The critical condition of the Balkan lynx and the need for its protection;

–          The benefit from sustainable hunting tourism and its implementation in Southeast European countries.

The workshop was carried out in two sessions by presenting the results from appropriate research and conditions in the Balkan countries and in other regions in Europe, discussions for the condition of the lynx population, as well as the meaning and importance of the sustainable hunting tourism in the abovementioned regions.

The final product of the two days work was the produced declaration in which the key recommendations and directions for conservation of the existing Balkan lynx population and implementation of the sustainable hunting tourism were outlined, which will lead to lynx protection. The Green Alliance has been formed in order to fulfill the set targets. The Alliance management committee is comprised of 5 members who will act together in this direction in the future.

 

The Large Carnivore Initiative group (LCI), as part of Species Survival Commission (SSC), had its meeting in Zanen, Switzerland on 23 May 2012. MES representative was a participant of the meeting, as well as the esteemed EU representative, Mr. Andras Demeter, and the Bern Convention representative, Mr. Eladio Fernandez Galiano. What was pointed out at the meeting was the situation with the hydroelectric power plant construction, the new Mavrovo National Park zoning and their influence on biodiversity, especially on the small and fragmented population of the Balkan lynx and its main prey – the roe deer and the chamois. The participants in the meeting who were experts in the field of large carnivores protection and management and carrying out the legislative from the EU expressed their concern about the lack of collaboration between the non-governmental department and the experts as one side, and the governmental structures and organisations in Macedonia on the other side, which will surely result in harming biodiversity in the already mentioned areas.

As possible negative effects prevention, the Berne Convention, supported by the European Committee made several suggestions for the Macedonian Government:

–          An action plan for the Balkan lynx based on the approved strategy by the European committee and made as part of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP);

–          Estimation of the Balkan lynx influence on its prey with the projects Lukovo Pole and Boshkov Most and their possible rejection;

–          Estimation of the infrastructure influence on large carnivores and their habitat’s fragmentation;

–          Identification of the location which have suitable habitats for large carnivores, but are not populated;

–          Improvement of the social acceptance of the large carnivores in the areas with suitable habitats for their reproduction and the lack of the same ones;

The Republic of Macedonia is a signatory of the Bern Convention (one of the most important instruments for protection of the natural values in Europe), whereas at the same time it is an EU candidate member, thus having to harmonise its own legislative with the EU’s one and to carry it out properly.

Starting from September this year, MES members working with large carnivores will have the possibility to join LCI and represent Macedonia and the three large carnivores: the bear, the wolf and the lynx. During the meeting, the programme Rewilding Europe was presented, the main target of which is to help in the process of returning (re-introduction and re-colonising) of the wild species in their historical habitats, some of which remained conserved in their original shape and form, and some of them are revitalised (http://rewildingeurope.com/). MES is going through the possibilities and will make effort to connect the initiative European Green Belt with the programme Rewilding Europe.

 

The Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) and the German foundation EuroNatur announce the Call for project proposals related to local sustainable development in the area of Ilinska-Plakenska Mountain. Project grants amount from EUR 2,000 to 3,000 per project. Eligible entities for submission of project proposal are the following: municipalities of Demir Hisar, Drugovo, Debarca and Ohrid, their local communities and organisations, as well as all citizens, legal entities and natural persons seated/residing in the abovementioned municipalities. The deadline to submit project proposal is 30 December 2011.

The call is conducted as part of the Small Grants Programme organised within the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme II. the Project is implemented by MES in cooperation with EuroNatur, and it is financially supported by Switzerland’s MAVA Foundatuion.

Application criteria

Before applying for small grants, please read carefully the criteria provided below in order to ensure whether your project is eligible. For any questions regarding the abovementioned or for more detailed information, please contact the Macedonian Ecological Society (see contact below).

Amount of the small grants.

• Project small grants amount from EUR 2,000 to 3,000 per project, in denar countervalue.

Who can apply?

Eligible entities for submission of project proposals are the following:

• Municipalities of Demir Hisar, Drugovo, Debarca and Ohrid, and their local communities and organisations;

• Citizens’ associations seated in the municipalities of Demir Hisar, Drugovo, Debarca and Ohrid;
• Legal entities and natural persons seated/residing in the municipalities of Demir Hisar, Drugovo, Debarca and Ohrid;
• Partnerships formed by two or more of the abovementioned entities.

A single organisation may apply with several projects. Project proposal co-financing by other sources is possible and encouraged.

Proposals should be focused on the following topics:

• ТА1:  Rising public awareness and education about the environment and the nature (for the locals and/or tourists);
• ТА2:  Promotion of the natural values of Ilinska-Plakenska Mountain (for the locals and/or tourists);
• TA3:  Management of natural resources and protection of biodiversity.

Critical application components:

• The application will not be taken into consideration unless the APPLICATION FORM is completely filled out, together with the tree recommendations, and the activities undertaken;
• It is advisable that projects carry general benefit for the population;
• Funds can be used primarily in the field;
• The impact must be practical, measurable and sustainable;
• Projects, in general, should have a lifespan of six months.

 Which projects will not be funded?

• Projects of no interest to the protection of natural values in the region;
• Infrastructural projects;
• A conference or seminar as project’s sole activity.

Application instructions

Project concept application is done using the Application Form and following the terms and conditions therein. the Application Form can be downloaded from here or sought directly from MES Office (see contact below). Only the official form must be used and applicants must fill out all required information. Documents required for submission are as follows:

–          Signed follow-up letter;

–          Filled-out form;

–          Project Manager’s CV;

–          Detailed budget of the project;

–          Certificate of secured project co-financing, if the project foresees it;

–          Signed document for mutual cooperation if more than one entity submit the form.

Proposed projects should be concluded no later than 30 September 2012. It is recommended that the project’s lifespan be six months, although each project is considered and evaluated individually, and thereby its lifespan is flexible.

DEADLINE

The deadline to submit project proposals is 30 December 2011. Prepared project concepts should be submitted to the Macedonian Ecological Society at the following address:

Macedonian Ecological Society

Bul. Kuzman Josifovski Pitu no. 28/3-7

1000 Skopje

Applications will be reviewed and decisions will be made in a period of 20 days upon call conclusion. There will be no interviews.

The donor reserves their right to not allot all foreseen funds if the projects proposed do not fit the goals of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme II.

More detailed information about the small grants / application criteria / legal entities and natural persons, and others can be obtained through the contact person:

Aleksandar Stojanov from MES, on tel. 02/2402-773 or e-mail: stojanov@mes.org.mk.