Mreženje evropskih projektov Interreg AVIATOR in LIFE SakerRoads

lukam — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:14:36 +0000

Networking between the European projects Interreg AVIATOR and LIFE SakerRoads lukam Thu, 09/10/2026 - 08:40 Inštitut za perutnino ptice male sesalce in plazilce AVIATOR sokol Research

Researchers from the University of Ljubljana’s Veterinary Faculty joined field monitoring and health conservation efforts for the endangered bird of prey in Hungary.

Within the Interreg AVIATOR project, Prof. Jožko Račnik, DVM, PhD, dipECZM (Wildlife Population Health) from Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana (VF UL), has established a strong scientific collaboration with Hon. Prof. Károly Erdélyi, DVM, PhD dipECZM (Wildlife Population Health) from HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute Disease Ecology and Wildlife Health Research Team, Budapest, Hungary. Prof. Erdélyi is also one of the key external veterinary experts in the LIFE SakerRoads project (LIFE21/NAT/HU/101074704, https://kerecsensolyom.hu/), co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, which focuses on the recovery of the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) population in the North Hungarian Plain.

Dr. Erdélyi and the LIFE project expert team of MME BirdLife Hungary invited scientists from the Veterinary faculty UL to participate in targeted field surveillance at known Saker Falcon breeding territories. The main objective within the LIFE SakerRoads project includes health assessment, individual marking (ringing) and deployment of satellite transmitters to support movement ecology and survivorship analyse of saker flacons; moreover, functional assessment of artificial nesting structures within occupied territories was made.

In the context of the project, veterinary fieldwork of Hungarian researchers encompassed: comprehensive clinical health assessments with detailed veterinary examinations of nestling saker falcons; venous blood sampling to detect infectious agents and biomarkers indicative of pesticide or lead exposure.

The LIFE SakerRoads field campaign provided valuable, practice-oriented insights into evidence-based measures to halt and reverse the decline of the Saker Falcon in the North Hungarian Plain. The project aims to achieve a 20% increase in both population size and breeding success through integrated management, targeted threat mitigation, and science-driven monitoring.

Affiliations and acknowledgements

Prof. Jožko Račnik, DVM, PhD, dipECZM (Wildlife Population Health), Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana – Head of the Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles
Hon. Prof. Károly Erdélyi, DVM, PhD, dipECZM Wildlife Population Health, HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute – Disease Ecology and Wildlife Health Research Team
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest – Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Projects

Interreg AVIATOR project, co-funded by the European Union’s Interreg Danube Region Programme
LIFE SakerRoads project (LIFE21/NAT/HU/101074704), co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme