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It’s All in the Genes: Saving the Balkan Lynx

A joint multidisciplinary effort by scientists from Europe recently produced a scientific paper on the Balkan ( Lynx lynx balcanicus Bureš, 1941) and the Caucasian ( Lynx lynx dinniki , Satunin, 1915) lynx, which gives fresh perspective of the genetic status of the Balkan’s critically endangered cat and provides a direction for future conservation measures. According to the paper, Asian and European lynx populations started to diverge around 100 thousand years ago, after which followed a…

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18 griffon vultures on the brink of being poisoned in Mariovo saved

Last week, MES received a call concerning a massive poisoning of dogs in the village Vitolishte, located in the region Mariovo. With the possibility that the poison was still present and accessible, this presented a serious threat to the people of the village as well as the surrounding wildlife. Mariovo is exceptionally rich in biodiversity and these poisoning incidents not only affect domestic animals but also have big repercussions for wildlife which is why MES reacted quickly. After…

Balkan Detox

A total of 13 model projects supported within the project "Sustainable future for Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region" in all three countries

Within the scope of the project "Sustainable future for Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region", thirteen model projects from local organizations are being supported from North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania which will be implemented between 12 to 18 months, starting from September 2021. The projects were prepared within the scope of the precursing project for regional development, which MES implemented during the 2019. The aim of this project was to create a program for support for the local community in…

Sustainable Future for Shar-Korab-Koritnik

First partner meeting within the project "Sustainable Future for the Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region"

In September 2021, the project coordinators of the regional project "Sustainable Future for the Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region" held their first in-person meeting in Peshkopi in Albania. During the meeting they shared their thoughts about the project activities and the model projects that are being implemented in the three countries. Photo by Olsi Lama   "Sustainable Future for the Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region" is a new project that MES has begun in April 2021 and will manage until September…

Sustainable Future for Shar-Korab-Koritnik

Educational workshops on vultures and poison as their biggest threat

Within the scope of the BalkanDetox LIFE project, this summer we organized educational workshops in Vitolishte and Gorna Boshava which focused on the remaining vulture population in the country and the issue of wildlife poisoning. Engaging with relevant stakeholders is one of the most important ways to help shift the behaviour of the general public when it comes to animal poisoning. The workshops intended to raise awareness about this issue in North Macedonia and we presented information…

Balkan Detox

The project "Sustainable Future for the Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region" has started

"Sustainable Future for the Shara/Korab-Koritnik Region" is a new project that MES has begun in April 2021 and will manage until September 2023. The focus of the project is the local community from the Shara/Korab-Koritnik region as the main drivers of regional development and guardians of the biological and landscape diversity. There are several activities foreseen in the project targeting regional development, engaging the local community, decreasing biodiversity threats and improvement of…

Sustainable Future for Shar-Korab-Koritnik

Shar Mountain finally declared a National Park after 27 years!

MES and Friends of Shara greet the passing of the Law on the Proclamation of Shar Mountain as National Park The Macedonian Ecological Society and the Friends of Shara Platform greet the passing of the Law on the Proclamation of Shar Mountain as National Park at Assembly’s 43 rd session on 30 June 2021, with 66 votes in favour. @JovanBozinoski As supporters of this long-term process, we would like to express our great satisfaction and give recognition to all stakeholders involved in the…

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The Road to Establishing a National Park on Shar Mountain

Events and projects that the Macedonian Ecological Society and the platform “Friends of Shar” implemented in order to aid the proclamation of Shar Mountain National Park 2011-2021 @LjuboStefanov 2011 – 2013 Project „Promotion of Shar Mountain’s natural resources through education on environment and stakeholder involvement”, Macedonian Ecological Society 2013 Trilateral meeting on the future cross-border protected area Shar Mountain – Korab – Deshat with support from UNEP in cooperation with the…

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Wildlife Crime Academy

In Andalusia, Spain, they even use helicopters to investigate suspicious bird mortality . An action that might seem unreal for other countries, but it’s actually just a tool and not the most important aspect in solving wildlife crime. What really matters in criminal investigations are the human resources, capacities and real engagement from the competent authorities. Spain is leading the way when it comes to fighting wildlife crime. In the Balkans, it’s a different story, but there is hope.…

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The BalkanDetox LIFE Project Team Finally Met in Person

The BalkanDetox LIFE Project Team Finally Met in Person: 1st NEEMO Monitor Visit and 2nd Partnership Meeting The Project Team of the BalkanDetox LIFE project welcomed the opportunity to meet in person for the first time since the project officially started back in October 2020. During the meeting, the partners discussed and evaluated the overall implementation progress, analyzed the achievements and milestones reached so far and set a course of action for the next six months of the project.…

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The Municipality of Kochani is a European Green Belt Model Municipality

On 17 th July at the Info-center on Ponikva we organized an event which was part of the European Green Belt initiative in order to award the Municipality of Kochani. This Municipality was awarded with the prestigious status of Green Belt Model Municipality among all municipalities in the Balkan Green Belt. The award was well deserved as this Municipality was exceptionally dedicated to nature and biodiversity conservation by supporting the establishment of a new protected area on the Osogovo…

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Sunchica returns after spending the winter in the Middle East

We are excited to inform you all that the far-travelling Sunchica is back in the Balkans after flying around the Middle East for the past 5 months! Sunchica's journey Back in 2019 the Fund for Wild Fauna and Flora (FWFF) tagged Sunchica as well as several other Griffon Vultures, with GPS tags in Greece and North Macedonia. The Macedonian Ecological Society was part of this effort in tagging with hopes to track poisoning incidents in the Balkans which continues to bring vulture population counts…

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