Our Projects: CROATIA

Together with veterinary faculty members of Zagreb University, we want to save the last 220 Adriatic dolphins from extinction.

They are a resident population and their numbers seem to have remained stable during the last years, as repeated surveys suggest.

The German-Croatian project is carried out under the auspices of the Croatian Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning within the framework of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS).

The once numerous dolphin populations have been declining in the course of the past decades due to threats from pollution, by-catch in fishing nets or direct killings. Regular surveys and observations will help determine the dolphin population’s health. The fieldwork includes the so-called photo-identification: a picture of a dolphin’s dorsal fin, which, owing to its form and markings, is as unique as the human fingerprint, allows the recognition of individuals. The scientists can thus gain valuable insight into the development of a population, the cetaceans’ migrations, or their preferred areas. The examination of dolphin carcasses provides information on natural or anthropogenic threats the marine mammals may face.

The most important aims of the project include the establishment of sanctuaries, the foundation of a dolphin conservation center and public awareness raising activities.

Accordingly, further objects include the collection of data and management of interactions between humans and cetaceans, such as fishing, tourism, and marine pollution, the collection of data on strandings, measures to rescue cetaceans stranded alive, and awareness raising activities. Our partners are veterinarians from Zagreb University, headed by Prof. Hrvoje Gomercic.

Rescuing dolphins in distress

Fieldwork in 2007 was marked by the rescue of a female bottlenose dolphin that had entered the Krka river and did not find her way back to the sea (see also Delphinpost issue 1+2/2007). In most cases the dolphins end up paying dearly for such "errors": they often starve to death because they do not find enough food in the freshwater environment which is not particularly suited for them. The marine mammal spent several days in the river, continuing its upstream journey. Together with helpers from the nearby Skradin marina and the Krka National Park staff our partners managed to transport the dolphin back to the sea.

A huge thank you to all those who supported us with donations or by adopting a dolphin, contributing directly to the protection of the last "Adriatic" dolphins! Thanks to your support we are able to continue and expand our vital dolphin conservation work in Croatia.
Ulrike Kirsch