On 12 December, Trakia University hosted a working meeting within the framework of the International Scientific Conference “Current Trends in Species Conservation” as part of the AVIATOR project – “Sustainability and Adaptation of Birds of Prey through Awareness, Monitoring, Treatment, and Public Engagement,” funded by the European Union under the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme. The conference was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Wildlife Rescue Centre of the Green Balkans Association – Stara Zagora, an associate partner of Trakia University in the AVIATOR project.
The event was opened with welcome addresses by Prof. Dr. Diyan Georgiev, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lazarin Lazarov, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The organisation and scientific coordination of the conference and working meeting were carried out by Dr. Hristina Klisurova and Dr. Rusko Petrov – representatives of Trakia University and the Green Balkans Association.
The main thematic areas of the conference covered the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals, the breeding and reproduction of rare and endangered species outside their natural habitats, wildlife conservation through restocking and reintroduction, as well as contemporary approaches and trends in conservation ecology.
Scientific presentations on these topics were delivered by established lecturers from Bulgaria and abroad. A plenary lecture entitled “Crimes Against Nature – A Real Threat to Wildlife and Their Habitats” was given by Emiliya Toncheva, lawyer and ecologist, former Deputy Minister of Environment and Water. Gradimir Gradev from the Faculty of Agriculture at Plovdiv University presented results related to the reintroduction of the griffon, black, and Egyptian vultures in Bulgaria. Volen Arkumarev from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds introduced participants to the national programme for the conservation and restocking of the Egyptian vulture. Grigorios Markakis (Greece), representative of ANIMA – Association for Wildlife Care & Protection at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, presented updated treatment protocols and progress in clinical and field practices for wildlife rehabilitation in Greece. The scientific programme also included representatives from zoos and rescue centres from Greece (Attica Zoological Park) and Bulgaria – Sofia, Stara Zagora, Varna, Dobrich, and Plovdiv.
During the scientific session, Trifon Boychev from the Environmental and Wildlife Crime Department of the National Police Directorate presented an analysis of the current situation regarding crimes against nature and wildlife in Bulgaria, highlighting key risks and preventive measures
The working meeting on the AVIATOR project was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lazarin Lazarov, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Trakia University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolina Rousenova, Vice-Dean for Research. Assoc. Prof. Lazarov presented the project objectives, pilot activities, and the joint methodological framework for the conservation of birds of prey. The AVIATOR project aims to enhance the resilience and support the adaptation of birds of prey populations in the Danube region in the context of climate change through the development and implementation of coordinated and harmonised measures across transnational ecological regions. The main focus is on mitigating the negative impact of infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as reducing overall anthropogenic pressure on biodiversity.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolina Rousenova emphasised the pilot activities aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination of birds of prey against West Nile Virus. Her presentation included the preparatory stages, implementation plan, available vaccines in Europe, specifics of the avian immune response, factors affecting vaccine efficacy, and the existing scientific data and challenges in assessing protection levels induced by different vaccine platforms.
The presented pilot activities sparked an active discussion on vaccine safety, potential risks for birds of prey, and financial considerations in recording and analysing mortality cases.
The participation of representatives from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Trakia University in the international AVIATOR project highlights the university’s significant role in biodiversity conservation and in developing evidence-based solutions to address challenges related to climate change. The project involves 13 partner institutions from the Danube region of Europe, with a total budget of €2.16 million, including €1.73 million in EU grant funding. The project commenced in 2025 and will continue until 2027.