A Year of Challenge and Hope in Shebenik National Park

Reflecting on another year as PONT grantees, we realise that our journey in Shebenik National Park has been both challenging and rewarding. The close collaboration with local communities and individuals who share a deep love for nature has been a source of renewed strength and inspiration.

While 2024 brought widespread devastation to much of Albania due to wildfires, Shebenik National Park stood resilient, a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated team and community partners. This has been one of the most severe years for wildfires in Albania, with vast areas of natural habitat consumed by flames. Yet, in Shebenik, we faced only two isolated fire incidents. In both cases, the quick and decisive actions of the RAPA Elbasan team prevented the fires from spreading further, safeguarding the park’s diverse ecosystems.

This success is also testament to the years of work AlbNatyra has invested in community education about the dangers of fire. Ongoing awareness raising, and having established a dedicated volunteer monitoring team, we created a first line of defence—one that not only detects potential threats but also responds rapidly to prevent them from escalating. Our support for RAPA, including the provision of firefighting equipment, has been crucial in these efforts, and we are proud of the progress made. While there is still work to be done to make Shebenik fully fire-resistant, we are confident that we are on the right path.

While fire management was a significant achievement, the true highlight of the year was the rediscovery of the Balkan Lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus), a species many feared had disappeared from Shebenik for good. As the seasons transitioned to spring, the park began to reveal its hidden wonders. Deep within the dense forest, where the undergrowth is thick and the ancient trees stand tall, something extraordinary occurred. After ten long years without a sighting, the elusive Balkan Lynx was captured on camera by the monitoring cameras set up by AlbNatyra, with the young members of the “Friends of Wildlife of Shebenik” and RAPA Elbasan.

The first sighting was nothing short of magical, bringing smiles and a sense of accomplishment to everyone involved. Subsequent footage confirmed that this magnificent creature has indeed returned to its home in Shebenik once more.

Encouraged by this success, we expanded our monitoring efforts, deploying cameras in various parts of the park. These efforts yielded remarkable results, capturing images and videos of other wildlife, including the Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), Grey Wolf (Canis lupus), Wildcat (Felis silvestris), Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Among these discoveries, the sighting of a wild goat (Capra aegagrus), a rare occurrence, filled our team with excitement and further solidified Shebenik’s status as a vital refuge for Albania’s wildlife.

As we move forward, these achievements remind us of the importance of our work in Shebenik National Park. The challenges that Shebenik faces are far from over., climate change, human encroachment, and the ever-present threat of fires will continue to test our resolve. However, the progress we have made this year has strengthened our belief that with the right strategies and the continued support of PONT and our partners, we can meet these challenges head-on. We are confident that Shebenik will continue to thrive as a sanctuary for wildlife and a testament to the power of conservation.

By: AlbNatyra