Workshop in Sarajevo: “Protection of Birds of Prey – Cooperation with Local Stakeholders”

At the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, a local workshop titled “Protection of Birds of Prey – Cooperation with Local Stakeholders” was held on March 24, 2026. The event was organized within the framework of the international project AVIATOR (Avian Resilience and Adaptation through Awareness, Monitoring, Treatment, and Outreach for Raptors), implemented through the Interreg Danube Region Programme.

The workshop brought together representatives of relevant institutions, the professional and scientific community, managers of protected natural areas, as well as other key stakeholders, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the field of raptor protection, biodiversity conservation, and improving cross-sectoral information exchange.

Strengthening cooperation among local stakeholders, improving monitoring, and ensuring a more effective response to threats to wild birds in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Discussions focused on practical challenges and opportunities for developing a more efficient local framework for wild bird protection, including reporting findings of dead and injured individuals, sampling, laboratory testing, monitoring, and timely, coordinated communication between competent sectors. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for stronger integration between nature conservation, the veterinary sector, and protected area management.

The workshop also presented activities linking Bosnia and Herzegovina with the AVIATOR project’s pilot measures in selected natural areas, with a focus on strengthening monitoring capacities, enabling timely information exchange, and ensuring a coordinated response to threats in the natural environment.

It was especially emphasized that the protection of birds of prey, as well as biodiversity conservation as a whole, requires continuous efforts in public information, education, and awareness-raising, particularly among younger generations, who will play a crucial role in preserving natural values and biological diversity in the future.

The conclusion highlighted that the protection of birds of prey requires sustained cooperation between institutions and experts, and that the AVIATOR project represents an important platform for strengthening such collaboration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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#AVIATORProject #DanubeRegion #WildlifeConservation #raptors