In June, 16 juvenile Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were released near a microdam in the vicinities of the village of Levka in the Sakar Mountain. The new home of the ducks was not chosen randomly - this is an area, where the local hunters have restricted the hunting activities, so the small reservoir provides safe haven for the Mallards. The origin of the juvenile ducks is quite interesting. They were hatched at Green Balkans’ Wildlife Rescue Center by parents, who had become in-patients of the Centre. They were confiscated from poachers, who had used them as live baits while hunting - a method that has been banned. Their long life in captivity has turned them in domesticated birds not capable of survival in the wild. However, their numerous offspring is completely viable and independent, so it was possible to release the juveniles in their natural environment. “They feel wonderful and roam around the whole reservoir”, a member of the local hunting party shared his impressions few days after the release of the ducks.
Earlier in February, in a similar joint initiative in the area of Sakar SPA (BG0002021), Green Balkans and the local hunting group released 30 Chukar Partridges (Alcctoris chukar) into the wild. Thus, the joint activities between the local hunters and the conservationists intended to support the populations of species typical of the region turns into a tradition. Joint resettlement of Chukars took place for the third year in a row. In 2013, 24 individuals were released, while in 2012 another 30 birds of the same species were released in the region of Levka, Svilengrad Municipality. The hunters have stopped hunting Chukars so that these rare birds can adapt successfully to the region and increase their numbers. There have already been positive results – conservationists and hunters record an increasingly higher number of Chukars settled in their new territory.
The local hunters are key partners of Green Balkans in the implementation of “Lesser Kestrel Recovery” LIFE11 NAT/BG/360 project. Reporting sightings of Lesser Kestrels in identified hunting grounds and implementing other related activities, the hunters support actively the efforts made by the conservationists.
For further information, please contact:
Gradimir Gradev, Project Manager
“Lesser Kestrel Recovery” LIFE11 NAT/BG/360
Tel.: +359 885 609 289; Е-mail: ggradev@greenbalkans.org
Hristina Klisurova - Veterinary
PR, Wildlife Rescue Center
Tel: +359 886 570053
E-mail: hhristova@greenbalkans.org
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