Protecting the otter of Skadar Lake

The BESTbelt project, which was recently completed, was dedicated to protecting the elusive otter at Lake Skadar through creative communication approaches, empowering local communities and bringing key stakeholders together.

 

The otter of Skadar lake was in the center of a 1-year BESTbelt project “Improving the status of the otter and its habitat in the Skadar Lake National Park area" implemented by Green Home in collaboration with the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment (PPNEA) and Wildlife Montenegro in Montenegro and Albania. 

Tracking an animal that rarely reveals itself is challenging, especially in a wetland landscape that changes with every rainfall. Over the course of two monitoring seasons, camera traps were set up to capture fleeting glimpses of the otter. The footage, shared by the National Parks, marked a major milestone in the project. These elusive creatures are notoriously difficult to spot, so every sighting is a triumph.

One of the project's outcomes is a brochure illustrated by an artist to depict the otter's behaviour. It is a visual and emotional journey that connects readers to the species and its fragile habitat. 
A special section of the brochure invites visitors to contribute to otter monitoring through citizen science.

Overall, the project emphasised the importance of collaboration across generations and professions in safeguarding the region’s natural heritage. Various key stakeholders, including park authorities, fishermen, and forestry students, came together for a training session dedicated to the Eurasian otter. This workshop aimed to raise awareness, share data, and strengthen cooperation among those who play a key role in conserving the otter and the lake ecosystem on which it depends. It presented challenges such as habitat degradation and pollution, as well as practical ways to support otter protection.

At the end of the project, a dynamic cross-border conference was organised to enhance the management of Lake Skadar as a shared ecological treasure between Montenegro and Albania. This event brought together representatives from the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro, the Albanian Ministry of Environment, the management authorities of Lake Skadar, civil society partners and environmental experts. A particular highlight was the announcement that the monitoring results of the BESTbelt project would be submitted to protected area managers and relevant ministries, thereby contributing to regular reporting under the Bern Convention.

 

All presented activities are part of the EU-funded BESTbelt project "Improving the status of the otter and its habitat in the Skadar Lake National Park area", which was implemented by Green Home in collaboration with the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment (PPNEA) and Wildlife Montenegro in Montenegro and Albania from October 2024 to September 2025.

For more information, please contact: 

Green Home: greenhome(at)greenhome.co.me

Azra Vuković: azra.vukovic(at)greenhome.co.me

Nina Mihailović: nina.mihailovic(at)greenhome.co.me