SUCCESSFUL REINFORCEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN SOUSLIK BY GREEN BALKANS NGO IN “SINITE KAMANI” NATURE PARK, BULGARIA
ELENA STOEVA1, IVELIN IVANOV1, ILIYAN STOEV1, LYUBOMIR YANKOV1, ALEXANDER MECHEV1, YORDAN KOSHEV2
1 – “Green Balkans – Stara Zagora” NGO, 9 Stara Planina Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, e-mail: officesz@greenbalkans.org
2 – Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; e-mail: bgsouslik@gmail.com
*Corresponding author: etilova@greenbalkans.org
Keywords: European Souslik, Spermophilus citellus, conservation, re-stocking, growing density
Abstract: The European Souslik is an important component of the diet of protected bird and mammal species. This is a threatened species whose population and distribution area have been shrinking in its entire range. Translocation is often used to restore the species’ distribution and abundance. Unlike Central Europe, there is only scarce experience in the implementation of Souslik translocation activities in SE Europe and the Balkans.
The current work presents the results of the Souslik reinforcement program implemented by Green Balkans in Sinite Kamani Nature Park in the period 2010-2014. The process of reinforcement took part in the Karakyutyuk area within a total area of 43,71 ha. The Souslik colony in this area should therefore be considered critically endangered. The natural habitats of the area were restored, clearing off the shrubs and enhancing the vegetation cover. The pastures were maintained through extensive sheep grazing. Thus, through these direct reinforcement activities, a total of 292 individuals were released during the period 2010-2014. The animals were trapped in threatened or deteriorated habitats, outside the territory of the Nature Park. As a result of the successful activities, the colony expanded from 215 holes of Sousliks, only 65 of which active in 2010, to a total of 1120 holes (879 active) in 2014.
The future maintenance of the habitats would guarantee the sustainability of the Souslik populations in Sinite Kamani NP. The reinforcement method could also be applied in other suitable territories, being further enhanced to secure greater efficiency in the specific environment.