Shkadar Lake rewilding builds on pelican comeback

Lay a solid foundation for rewilding

Lake Shkadar, located on the border of Montenegro and Albania, is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the most important freshwater ecosystems in Europe. last year, Skadar Lake National Park Become one of the top ten nature reserves in the country wildparks Leader—— A batch of pioneer parks Work with Rewilding Europe to show how rewilding complements traditional protected area management. By restoring natural processes and allowing nature to shape landscapes more freely, the initiative aims to help Europe’s protected areas become wilder and more resilient, helping nature and people thrive together.

The remarkable recovery of the park’s iconic Dalmatian pelican population over the past two decades provides a powerful example of what long-term conservation and effective protection can achieve, and provides a strong foundation for expanding rewilding efforts in and around the lake. Montenegro National Park Serviceand local partners.

unique wetland

Skadar Lake is just a short drive from Montenegro’s Adriatic coast and covers more than 40,000 hectares, about 80% of which is wetland. Together with Albania’s Lake Shkadar Nature Reserve and the Buna River, it forms a transboundary ecosystem that has recently been recognized as UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.

Rich fish populations, extensive reedbeds and floating vegetation support outstanding biodiversity, making Lake Skadar one of Europe’s most important wetlands for birds. One of its most iconic residents is the Dalmatian pelican, which breeds in one of the largest colonies in Europe. Surrounded by the snow-capped Albanian mountains, it is surrounded by rolling hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation, including the endemic Skadar oak (summer oak subspecies. Scatariella), the lake is especially spectacular in spring. A carpet of flowering water chestnuts covers its surface, while Dalmatian pelicans, pygmy cormorants and countless wading birds fill the sky.

Lake Shkodra has also sustained local communities over centuries through fishing, agriculture and tourism. Today, however, increasing visitor pressure, illegal fishing, fish migration barriers, invasive species and unsustainable development are placing increasing pressure on the natural processes that have long maintained the lake’s remarkable diversity.

From vision to action

Rewilding Europe, Montenegro National Park Authority and local partners will now work together to rewild Lake Shkadar and the surrounding area by restoring the natural processes that underpin this extraordinary wetland ecosystem. Priorities include strengthening aquatic food webs, improving conditions for migratory fish, exploring future opportunities for the return of the critically endangered Adriatic sturgeon, and using natural grazing to help control invasive false indigo bush.Sophora japonica) around the lake. The partnership will also support the long-term monitoring and conservation of the lake’s Dalmatian pelican colony, helping to protect its future.

In addition to ecological restoration, Rewilding Europe will support the development of wildlife viewing tourism and other nature-based enterprises, while strengthening anti-poaching measures and building the capacity of park staff and rangers to protect the park’s outstanding biodiversity.

“The greatest achievements in nature conservation are achieved when communities, institutions and partners share a common vision: ensuring that wild nature remains a place of life, inspiration and hope,” said Marinela Djuretic, director of the Montenegro National Park Service. “Wild nature is not a luxury – it is the foundation of healthy ecosystems, quality of life and our shared natural heritage.”

extraordinary return

Few species illustrate the long-term conservation and rewilding value of Lake Skadar better than the Dalmatian pelican, a flagship of the park and a source of pride for the local community. The park’s pelican population is expected to reach 306 by 2026, the highest number since systematic monitoring began and a significant increase from about 250 the previous year.

Although the species never disappeared from the lake, reproductive success collapsed in 2008 when unusually high water levels flooded nesting sites and human disturbance further reduced productivity. A turning point came in 2014, with the introduction of targeted conservation measures, including disturbance-free zones with buoys and floating nesting platforms, to deal with fluctuating water levels. These practical interventions have helped to change the colony’s fortunes over the past decade, allowing the population to steadily recover.

Adapt to changing environments

The Pelicans also showed remarkable resilience. An outbreak of avian influenza in 2022 resulted in the death of about 20 birds, which failed to breed successfully. In response to changing environmental conditions, the colony moved naturally from its traditional nesting site at Panceva Oka to Molachnik Island.

This year’s breeding season presented further challenges as unusually high water levels delayed nesting and resulted in the loss of some early clutches. However, once conditions improve, many breeding pairs establish new nests, extending the breeding season. As of June, the monitoring team has recorded 140 breeding adults and 47 chicks in various stages of development, 23 fledglings have fledged, and three nests are still active.

The colony’s ability to adapt to changes in water levels suggests it has moved beyond a simple recovery phase into a more stable and resilient phase. Still, continued protection is vital, especially minimizing disturbance around Molachnik during the breeding season. Rewilding Europe and the Park Service are exploring ways to increase monitoring and ensure this habitat continues to thrive.

Helping Europe’s protected areas become more wild

Lake Skadar National Park is one of ten protected areas participating in the Rewilding Europe wildlife parks initiative. By integrating rewilding principles into protected area management, the initiative aims to accelerate the recovery of nature across Europe, while demonstrating how healthier, more resilient ecosystems can bring lasting benefits to local people.

As work at Lake Skadar gathers pace, the remarkable recovery of the Dalmatian pelican is an encouraging look at the possibilities for combining long-term conservation with rewilding – revitalizing natural processes, expanding the return of wildlife, and creating thriving landscapes where people and nature can thrive together.

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