Project Title: DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION - "Danube-wide conservation of the Great Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus)"
Project budget: € 299,450.00
Co-financing source: DANUBEPARKS
Project duration: January 2024 – December 2026
Summary:
DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION project is focused on the Danube-wide conservation of the Great Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus), known as the "Danube Dragon". This charismatic and endemic species is a key indicator of habitat changes, making it an ideal flagship species for habitat restoration along the Danube River. Within this project, DANUBEPARKS will implement several habitat restoration and species conservation actions in Protected Areas in Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Besides this, together with Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH), DANUBEPARKS will develop an "Action Plan for the Danube Dragon conservation in Danube Region" and will implement innovative eDNA monitoring techniques.
Objectives:
1. Development of the Action Plan for Danube Dragon Conservation in Danube Region
2. Hydrological improvements Duna-Drava National Park (Hungary) and Persina Nature Park (Bulgaria)
3. Creation of small water bodies in Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit and Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve (Serbia)
4. Land purchase and protection of terrestrial habitats in Marcelová (Slovakia)
5. Implementation of measures to reduce roadkills in Kopački rit Nature Park (Croatia)
6. eDNA monitoring implementation (success control and basis for future measures)