Protection of Bird Populations in Special Protected Areas through control and eradication of Invasive Animal Species in Slovakia

ongoing

"Project is focused on saving populations of 17 bird species from impact of 4 Invasive Alien Species. Project actions solve elimination of the predatory pressure on populations of target bird species and their habitat destruction by following IAS: American mink (Mustela vison), Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), Racoon (Procyon lotor), Coypu (Myocastor coypus). 5 bird species Tringa totanus, Aythya nyroca, Limosa limosa, Otis tarda and Spatula querquedula are considered as ""Priority for funding under LIFE"" and 11 bird species Egretta garzetta, Sterna hirundo, ichtyaetus melanocephalus, Zapornia parva, Porzana porzana, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardea purpurea, Chlidonias nigra, Botaurus stellaris, Platalea leucorodia, Ixobrychus minutus are listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and 1 bird species Netta rufina listed in Annex II of the Birds Directive. The project areas represent important breeding places of target bird species with known occurrences, described of the presence and negative impact of the IAS on native avifauna and habitats. 13 SPAs project areas represent breeding places of target birds with EU importance and cover in some cases whole national population of the target species. Elimination the impact of IAS is crucial for saving of populations of colonially breeding species and bird’s species with specific habitat requirements that fundamentally negatively affect IAS. Project will implement, in cooperation with involved stakeholders, the effective, systematic and long-term programme for eradication of IAS and elimination of negative impact on native fauna, habitats and biodiversity. Introduced direct conservation actions within project will support affected populations of bird species and ensure the increase of populations on level before invasions of target IAS in Slovakia."