All bat species are protected by law in both Montenegro and Albania, not only by national legislation but also through international agreements that both countries adhere to (the Bern and Bonn Conventions, as well as the EU Habitats Directive). It is well known that bats use the Lake Skadar area, particularly in winter when they hibernate in caves. Hibernation is a key period for establishing bat population monitoring, yet it remains poorly studied in the southwestern Balkans.
The main objective of this project was to train young enthusiasts and biologists from the mentioned cross-border region to carry out monitoring during winter and spring, and to identify bat species that use caves as primary shelters. This activity gave young researchers the opportunity to implement strict monitoring protocols, which can later be applied across other countries in the region. The project also aimed to raise awareness of bat conservation at both the local and national levels, through public discussions and media outreach (websites, newspapers, and social media).
The main objective of this project was to train young enthusiasts and biologists from the mentioned cross-border region to carry out monitoring during winter and spring, and to identify bat species that use caves as primary shelters. This activity gave young researchers the opportunity to implement strict monitoring protocols, which can later be applied across other countries in the region. The project also aimed to raise awareness of bat conservation at both the local and national levels, through public discussions and media outreach (websites, newspapers, and social media).
The main objective of this project was to train young enthusiasts and biologists from the mentioned cross-border region to carry out monitoring during winter and spring, and to identify bat species that use caves as primary shelters. This activity gave young researchers the opportunity to implement strict monitoring protocols, which can later be applied across other countries in the region. The project also aimed to raise awareness of bat conservation at both the local and national levels, through public discussions and media outreach (websites, newspapers, and social media).
Two important phases of fieldwork were conducted as part of this project:
– During the first phase, the first winter census of bats in the Lake Skadar area was carried out through direct cave visits and observations of bat individuals, using photography and software for counting and species identification, as well as collecting bones and guano, or using bat detectors. All these techniques were applied following a strict protocol developed by the project team, to minimize disturbance to the bats.
– The second phase focused on monitoring maternity colonies and shelters used by bats during spring. This phase also involved direct cave visits and individual observations, along with the continued use of the techniques mentioned above, strictly following the established protocol.
Throughout these two phases, valuable data on bats were collected and later integrated into a central database.
A total of 20 students from Albania and Montenegro acquired skills in year-round bat monitoring through workshops and hands-on fieldwork. They gained the ability to apply the newly developed cross-border monitoring protocol. In addition to theoretical knowledge about bat ecology, conservation, and their importance, students also learned practical field techniques, such as using bat detectors, safely handling bats, taking morphometric measurements, identifying species, capturing bats using mist nets, and correctly recording data.
As part of this project, the first Bat Conservation Action Plan for the Lake Skadar area was developed, outlining future monitoring and communication strategies in the region. Informational materials about bats and caves were also produced in Albanian, Montenegrin, and English. Leaflets and many other interesting publications can be found at: https://chiropteralb.wordpress.com/documentation/ .
* MES is one of the publishers of the Bulletin for Bat Research in the Balkans.
http://www.centarzakrs.ba/bh/documents/Hypsugo/Hypsugo%201_2019.pdf
