1991 - 2006. EUROBATS celebrates its 15th anniversary

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96 EUROBATS Publication Series No 1 Countries • to use this data to monitor threats to populations of bat species and demand suitable protection measures; • to promote bat conservation and research, as well as spreading knowledge about these mammals over a wide spec- trum of audiences. Before the developments in the second half of the 1990s, which led to the formation of SDPVN, the data on bat distribution in Slo- venia was sparse and mainly limited to re- cords of cave roosts and occasional mist- netting reports (e.g. Kryštufek & Cerveny 1997, Kryštufek & Hudoklin 1999). SDPVN members started systematic gathering of data on diverse roost types, including nur- series, which previously had been largely neglected. In 1998, with the support of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), we equipped ourselves with our first bat detectors, and data on the foraging habitats of the more easily recognizable species began to mul- tiply. Every year, together with bat resear- chers, we participated in research camps for biology students and schoolchildren. A broad methodological range enabled us to register some 1 species in a particular area in less than two weeks. On several occasions we were joined by foreign colleagues (particularly Jan Zukal and Zdenek Rehák) who were willing to share their experience with us. The exciting fieldwork done during the camps also proved the best way to recruit new bat workers to join us in our activities afterwards. In order to sharpen up our knowledge we regularly took part in bat research symposia and bat detector workshops. In 2000 we organized a training course in Slovenia as part of the larger European project coordinated by EUROBATS, supported by the German government (Limpens 2000, Zagmajster & Koselj 2001) and supervised by Herman Limpens assisted by Lothar Bach. The participants were able to improve their theoretical and practical skills using bat detectors in the field, as well as gathering new faunistic data, increasing the number of bat detectors available in the country and making new contacts that sparked off future collaboration. The data on bat distribution assembled on to a digital database at the Centre for Cartography of Fauna and Flora was subsequently used in the process of designating Natura 2000 sites (Kryštufek et al. 2003) and the publication of a first comprehensive overview of bat distribution in Slovenia (Presetnik et al., in press). In addition, several extensive studies on bat biology were completed (Koselj 2002, Presetnik 2002, Zagmajster 2002, Aupic 2004, Petrinjak 200 ). A good example of conservation work evolving from parallel research can already be found in SDPVN’s first international project, the Central European Miniopterus Protection Program, supported by REC in 1999/2000. The need for ensuring transboundary protection of migratory species, which is also the fundamental philosophy behind the EUROBATS Agreement, spurred the NGOs of Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania into coordinating their monitoring and conservation activities. Using monitoring data gathered monthly from roosts housing large numbers of species randomly distributed in Slovenia, it was possible to make recommendations on regulating tou-
ist use of cave roosts and on renovation works in the cellar of Grad na Gorickem Castle. The combined appeal from project partners working for the conservation of the Schreiber’s bats and other bat species roosting in this castle was particularly fruit- ful. It led to the receipt of financial support from the government and cooperation from the Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (Presetnik 2004a), for the following reasons: • the international importance of the roost for preserving the bat subpopulation on the eastern edge of the Pannonian Plain was also stressed in the letters of support from the project partners; • most importantly, the interests of nature and culture protection were in full accord, and no conflicting economic interests had been urged. Unfortunately, such is not the situation in many cases of threats to the bat roosts of Slovenia, which makes it all the more necessary for SDPVN to enforce their protection despite unhelpful background legislati- on (see 3.1). SDPVN’s endeavours in transboundary conservation (particularly necessary in small countries) were extended towards our north-western neighbours. Specifically, we have been collaborating since 2002 in the international project on Conservation of Bats in the Alpine–Adriatic Region, financed by the Interreg IIIa Program. Since 200 , a similar project coordinated in Slovenia by the Centre for Cartography of Fauna and Flora has received financial support (see the website http://www.fledermausschutz. 1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates its 15 th anniversary at/INTERREG/ for information on conservation activities). The case of the Ajdovska Jama cave The following story instances a case where international support proved necessary to achieve proper bat roost conservation. The small Ajdovska Jama cave, which consists of a single chamber (1 m in diameter) connected to the surface by two short passages, shelters the largest known maternity group of Rhinolophus euryale in the North- Western Balkans (c. 300 individuals) and is included in the Natura 2000 network. The cave’s importance to bats has been thoroughly investigated; it was monitored at least once a month from 1997 to 1999 (Koselj 2002). In the winter of 2000/2001 a metal walkway, with an observation platform that ran underneath the roost, was built in the cave in preparation for the setting up of a permanent exhibition of archaeological finds. The sponsors, a local authority, had applied for none of the permits required for building in a natural habitat, using caves for touristic purposes or causing disturbance to a protected species, nor did they submit an environmental impact assessment. After the unpleasant discovery of the project in July 2001, SDPVN informed the nature conservation authorities and the sponsors that the procedure was unlawful and constituted a threat to the existence of R. euryale. The project was not called off; indeed, a powerful electric lighting system was installed in the cave. SDPVN sent a denunciation of the sponsors to the sanctioning body (the Inspectorate for the Environment) and reminded the authorities of their duties. Instead of a definitive halt being called to the project, an official management licence 97
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EUROBATS Publication Series No 1 19
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When one tugs at a single thing in
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Contents Foreword 1991-2006 • EUR
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Foreword 15 years of EUROBATS, a mo
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On the eve of the 1 th anniversary
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monitoring activities and advising
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Happy Birthday EUROBATS! NABU, the
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an Agreement on the Conservation of
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Signing of the Bats Agreement: Rt.
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Just over 1 years ago, I got a new
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was finalised by using part of the
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the conservation of Schreiber´s ba
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were adopted with some amendments w
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and non-governmental organisations
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1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates i
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at conservation programs. The Agree
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fauna is represetned. At present 28
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1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates i
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Monitoring Bats are extensively stu
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the EUROBATS Agreement, in conjunct
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different villages in the Bulgarian
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Myotis capaccinii © Boyan Petrov N
Page 47 and 48: some 110 associates, including many
Page 49 and 50: 1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates i
Page 53 and 54: an unacceptable rate of injuries ca
Page 57 and 58: International exchange If we look a
Page 59 and 60: The Bat House The Bat House was fou
Page 63 and 64: Participants at a bat detector trai
Page 67 and 68: Future challenges Looking to EUROBA
Page 69 and 70: to develop effective conservation s
Page 75 and 76: the 28 th September 2004, when the
Page 79 and 80: Recent conservation activities In r
Page 83 and 84: • establishing a national databas
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Page 95 and 96: Lehotska, B. & Lehotsky, R. (200 )
Page 97: ing protection to bats was the decr
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Page 105 and 106: Investigations Project conti- nues
Page 107 and 108: at conservation high up in governme
Page 109 and 110: FFPS Flora and Fauna Preservation S
Page 111 and 112: Holy See 1991-2006 • EUROBATS cel
Page 113: Myotis hajastanicus (Argyropulo, 19
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1991 - 2006. EUROBATS celebrates its 15th anniversary

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