
As part of the LIFE SUPport project, the second monitoring visit by Nikica Skroza, representative of ELMEN EEIG – the organization responsible for monitoring the implementation of EU LIFE Programme projects – took place on June 24 and 25, 2025. The visit was organized just before the official mid-term report and marks an important checkpoint for evaluating the effectiveness of project activities.

The visit was held on the island of Cres and consisted of two components – a field day and a presentation day. On the first day, the monitor, accompanied by representatives of the Association BIOM and the Public Institution “Priroda”, visited several key locations on Cres and the nearby island of Plavnik, where various project activities have been carried out to improve nesting conditions and survival of the last remaining population of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia, which resides on the Kvarner Islands.

The field tour included a visit to the island of Plavnik, where nest surveillance cameras and marine monitoring systems have been installed as part of the project, with the aim of observing the effects of maritime traffic and tourist activities on the chicks. The representative of the monitoring organization also visited the vulture feeding site at Strganac on Cres, where a “soft release” aviary has been constructed within the project to allow for better adaptation of vultures before their release into the wild.

As part of the field visit, the monitor also visited the Križić viewpoint on Cres, where an informational board about vultures and the project has been installed.

In addition to these sites, the monitor toured the Beli Visitor Centre and Griffon Vulture Rescue Centre, whose staff play a key role in vulture rehabilitation and public education in the project area.
On the second day, partners presented the progress and outcomes of the project activities. Representatives of BIOM and the Public Institution “Priroda” participated in person, while other project partners joined virtually.

The monitor expressed satisfaction with what was seen and presented, highlighting that the project is progressing according to plan in most of its activities – a particularly important affirmation at this stage of implementation.

Encouraged by this positive feedback, we continue our dedicated efforts to further strengthen conservation actions for this charismatic and endangered species in the second half of the project.

The LIFE SUPport project partnership includes Association BIOM as the lead partner, along with the Public Institution “Priroda”, the Agricultural Cooperative “Otok Krk”, HEP – Distribution System Operator, the Vulture Conservation Foundation, and the associated partner – the Nature Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Green Transition.