High praise was given for the work of the team behind the project “LIFE for Eagle’s Habitats”, funded by the EU LIFE Programme, during the latest monitoring mission by Simona Bacarelli, representative of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
The event took place at the headquarters of the South-East State Forestry Enterprise (SE SFE) in Sliven and brought together representatives of all project partners, including the Executive Forest Agency (EFA), North-East SFE, Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), and SE SFE.
Dr. Dimitar Demerdzhiev of BSPB announced that 101 new pairs of Lesser Spotted Eagles have been identified across Bulgaria’s territory.
The project began in 2019 and is set to conclude on August 1st, 2025. Its main goal is the long-term conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle, a threatened species found in specific regions of Bulgaria. The project includes both field research and monitoring, as well as forestry measures aimed at improving habitat conditions.
“The territory of SE SFE is the most important area for the Lesser Spotted Eagle in Bulgaria. A significant portion of the national population is concentrated here,” emphasized Dr. Demerdzhiev.
Rossen Raychev, Deputy Executive Director of the EFA and project manager, highlighted the key results, which include a stabilized population, improved nesting conditions, and increased awareness among local communities, hunters, and farmers.
“We are also seeing improved collaboration between state institutions and NGOs, as well as sustainable forest management focused on biodiversity conservation,” he added.
Eng. Nikolay Vasilev, Head of Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, presented the activities implemented and results achieved under the project.
The project coordinator is Eng. Zlatka Azmanova, Deputy Director of SE SFE.
During the field monitoring visit to the Sredets area and the Strandzha Mountains, key eagle habitats were visited.
“I am impressed by what has been achieved and confident that the field visit will confirm the good work done. Thank you for your professionalism – I hope we will continue working together in the future,” said Simona Bacarelli from CINEA in conclusion.