Activities

A knowledge exchange visit was organized on 26th of June 2019  in Ulcinj with the Montenegrin Ecologist Society (MES). The aim of the visit was to get the “know-how” from Montenegrin colleagues on the species monitoring and conservation efforts. In this study visit, project staff together with biodiversity expert as well as the ranger of RAPA Vlore attached to the project, get to know more about the species and its habitats requirements and get more information about the species state in Ulcinj area, MNE.

Ms. Katarina Ljubisavljević, from MES explained their work on conservation and on awareness raising. Involving local and especially small kids in species monitoring has played a great role on species knowledge and conservation. “Colorful” public activities of awareness raising are taking place every year where the CR endangered Albanian waterfront species is the main topic. Kids love the species and the nice stories we create around the green little lovely creature” – she said.

The study tour was followed by a visit into the occupied habitats of the Albanian water-frog in surroundings wetlands of Ulcinj close to seaside.

EcoAlbania has recently stared her work on the preservation of the Albanian waterfrog in Albania, focusing on the Vlora bay, in gathering data on the species distribution and preparing the species action plan. This visit helps the staff to implement some similar activities as well as to build more cooperation bridges for the protection of the Albanian waterfrog.

The Albanian water frog (Pelophylax shqipericus) is and endemic species and lives in some areas of the Vlora Bay in Albania. Internationally, there is significant concern for the status of the species due to a decline in its population and the degradation of its habitat. It is presently listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List and it is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. Albania has, so far, no specific management plan for the conservation of this species.