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Project LIFE Energy as implemented in thirteen SPAs (Special Protection Areas) in the period of 1st September 2014 - 31st December 2019 and was aimed at protecting the ten priority bird species. Project pages are currently updated only on an occasional basis.

Young sousliks are vulnerable

Written by  Monday, 11 June 2018 13:49

 

 

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is doing well in two restored localities in the Slovak Karst (Gemerská Hôrka and Hrhov). Winter survived about 330 individuals, which is considered to be a great success with their high mortality during hibernation. In the areas that were cleaned from the bushes and trees within LIFE Energy project expand sousliks. We are currently watching young sousliks learning how to walk and eat separately.

 

"We first observed the juvenile of souslik at the end of May at the Biele vody site in the Muráň area. Recently young sousliks were also seen in Hrhov, later on in Gemerská Hôrka. Everywhere, the situation seems to be very good. As part of the project, we have fed these nice rodents after winter sleep, and females were also supported during pregnancy. They prefere to eat sunflower, oats and apples, "says Ervín Hapl from Raptor Protection of Slovakia.

 

"Young sousliks are now learning to walk and eat alone. The rain that has so far occurred in the area has not influenced them negatively, as it did in 2016. At that time the puppies appeared much earlier - already in mid-May. The current season is delayed by more than two weeks due to cold spring weather, "explains Hapl.

Sousliks used to be a significant part of raptor food, such as for the Saker Falcon, the Eastern Imperial Eagle and the Lesser Spotted Eagle, which are the focus of the project LIFE Energia. Sousliks are a social species; when one notices danger, it warns others by whistling. They live in locations that are regularly cut or grazed.

 

Additional information:

  • You can find out more about the project LIFE13 NAT/SK/001272 ENERGIA on the web site www.lifeenergia.sk , eventually www.facebook.com/lifeenergia.sk.

  • Project is supported by European Union within a LIFE program. It contributes significantly to improvement of conditions for the criterial species of birds in Natura 2000 sites.

 

Martina Badidová

PR manažér projektu

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