Halfway through LIFE SUPport project gained a significant boost in its project partnership. Baška municipality and Trgovačko društvo Baška d.o.o (Baška LLC), a utility company owned by the municipality, joined the project. Baška municipality is situated on the southeast of island Krk falls within the project area of LIFE SUPport, project which has over the last two and a half years significantly improved nesting conditions and survival rates of the only griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population in Croatia.
Representatives from Biom Association, the lead partner of the project, and representatives of Baška municipality and public utility company Trgovačko društvo Baška d.o.o held a work meeting on Tuesday 30th September at municipality offices, during which representatives of public utility company took over the project vehicle which will continue to deliver food for the griffon vultures. Up to this point the vehicle was used for the same purpose by Agricultural cooperative Island of Krk, who’s role has now been taken over by public utility company of Baška municipality.
Baška municipality mayor Toni Juranić pointed out the affection that the local community has for this iconic bird species, who’s entire Croatian population is found in the Kvarner are, and its entire breeding population on Krk is within the Baška municipality. “Our municipality also has the world’s older ornithological reserve – Kuntrep, established specifically for the conservation of griffon vultures back in 1969. Additionally, within our borders we have a special reserve that includes island Prvić, another nesting site for griffon vultures. Through work with locals, such as shepherds and hunters, Baška municipality can significantly contribute to the improvement of the status of this species in Kvarner, as well as serve as a good example for other municipalities and cities in Croatia in regard to biodiversity conservation” said Toni Juranić.
Marin Valković board member ofTrgovačko društva Baška d.o.o. emphasized ow glad he is that Baška municipality will have an important role in improving the living conditions of Kvarner’s “flying utility workers”, as these birds are sometimes affectionately called, who by ridding the environment of carrion fulfil an important ecological role.
“By taking part in the project, the company gained a new role. In addition to resolving utility issues of our residents and visitors we will now also ensure better conditions for griffon vultures, who are also permanent residents of our municipality. It’s out great please that our resources will operatively contribute to resolving the issues surrounding food availability for our griffon vultures, all with a goal of protecting and increasing their population.” said Marin Valković.
“Current project partners want to express our pleasure that we have a municipality join us, as in Croatia it’s still rare for administrative divisions to take part in project that are dedicated to conservation of endangered species such as griffon vultures. We believe that municipalities, due to their close relationship to the local community, can significantly contribute to the protection and promotion of endangered species, in this case griffon vultures both in Baška municipality and the entire island Krk. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues from Agricultural cooperative Island of Krk, especially the manager Karla Škorjanc, for taking part and partnering on project activities on Krk and I look forward to continuing this relationship with some of the cooperative members.” said je Dubravko Dender from Biom Association, lead of LIFE SUPport project.
LIFE SUPport project is worth €2,159,598, 60% of which comes from LIFE program. LIFE SUPport partnership is made up of BIOM Association as the project lead, Primorje – Gorski Kotar County’s Public Institution “Priroda”, Baška municipality, and Trgovačko društvo Baška d.o.o, HEP operator distribucijskog sustava, Vulture Conservation Foundation, and associate member Nature Protection Administration (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition). Project is co-financed by The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, and Office for Cooperation with NGOs. Main project goals are: decrease in young mortality by minimising nesting disturbances and improving rescue and rehabilitation operations, increase in food availability for griffon vultures, preventing poisoning cases, decrease in fatalities due to electrocution, publicising griffon vultures and raising awareness on threats and their needs to local communities, the general public, and government bodies.
