Telescopes for guards of National Park Divjakë-Karavasta, Albania

May 20, 2020

Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is a lagoon on the coast of Albania with one of the last breeding colonies of the Dalmatian Pelican in Albania. In the late 20th century, the colony fared poorly due to the drop in water levels in the lagoon. From 200-250 breeding pair in the 1980's, the colony declined to just 19 breeding pair at the beginning of the 21st century. The number has now doubled again. This is partly due to the ban on hunting and fishing in the park. Strict supervision and high fines were necessary for this ban to be effective. Guards spend days in huts on the water to prevent illegal fishing.

In order to continue monitoring the park and also to conduct research on the birds of the park, the park managers and guards need telescopes, binoculars and photo cameras. If you have one of these devices left and you want to donate it to the managers and bird guards of the Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, please contact The Habitat Foundation: info@thehabitatfoundation.org. We will contact you to discuss how your telescope, binoculars or photo camera can get to Albania.