Pelecanus crispus

ACCORDING TO AOS

Before the 90s, there were hundreds of breeding pairs (200 – 250 breeding pairs) in Karavasta Lagoon. While, after the 90s the number of the breeding pairs suffered an extreme decline, questioning thus the future of this species in our country, as a result of habitat change, lack of food, overfishing, illegal killing and stealing of the egss.

Fortunately, there was an instant reaction from conservationists, governmental institutions, local community and more, preventing thus a painful end for the Dalmatian Pelican.

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the symbol of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, the only breeding site for this bird in Albania.The largest fresh water birds, with a body length about 1.9m and about 20kg weight, are the permanent residents of the Lagoon.

The Dalmatian Pelican in Divjaka-Karavasta starts breeding every January, right at the peak of winter, a period when most of the birds are still in wintering mood and their colony has continued to grow, since 2021 there were around 100 breeding pairs, which marked the highest figure ever recorded in the last 30 years.

While we are still waiting for the statistics of the last two years, we invite you to visit the lagoon cause it seems clear that the citizens of Divjaka and the visitors of the lagoon are in full harmony with the vocalizations of the pelicans and are not bothered at all by their chirpings. They are very happy to welcome visitors to their island.