The Velebit Mountains in Croatia, the largest and most complex protected area in the country, are a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and home to diverse ecosystems. These include Mediterranean landscapes, beech forests, and almost boreal systems at higher altitudes. The area hosts rare species such as the Balkan chamois, brown bears, wolves, and European lynx, and features impressive karst formations. The Velebit Mountains are also recognized for their ecological importance and potential for rewilding.
The vision for the Velebit Mountains by 2030 is to become one of the wildest and best-protected wildlife areas in Mediterranean Europe, focusing on restoring natural habitats and wildlife populations through rewilding efforts. These include restoring trophic chains, rewilding forests, and integrating wildlife-friendly practices, such as reducing hunting and promoting nature-based tourism. Rewilding Velebit is also working on creating wildlife corridors and reducing hunting quotas, while promoting local economic opportunities tied to wildlife tourism.
Additionally, the project is introducing natural grazing by semi-wild horses and cattle to enhance biodiversity, and aiming to protect primary and old-growth forests to support carbon storage and wildlife habitat. In the marine domain, the organization seeks to protect and rewild coastal and marine ecosystems, including several uninhabited islands, through collaboration with stakeholders and the government. These initiatives aim to establish Velebit as a model for successful landscape-scale rewilding in the Balkans.
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