The 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB), which took place in Leiden from the 6-10 of July, attracted 850 participants from 25 countries. Maria Petridou gave a presentation which made a great impression overall. Many attendees were interested to learn more about the work being done under ‘PONT Connect’ and specifically the PONT grant to Pindos Perivallontiki “Enhancing connectivity of Balkan chamois in North-Western Greece”.
The Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a charismatic mountain ungulate inhabiting the Greek highlands. The most important stronghold for the species lies within the Pindos–Prespes Connectivity Conservation Area (PP-CCA), a transboundary landscape (>4,000 km2) linking the Prespa and Northern Pindos National Parks across the Greek Albanian border. During Phase I (2023–2025), co-financed by PONT and the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the CHAMOIS project established a solid ecological and social foundation for conservation. The team mapped chamois core areas and ecological corridors, delivered the Local Conservation Plan for Chamois Connectivity for the corridor, launched the Chamois Mobile App, produced outreach materials, and strengthened bilateral collaboration with Albania.
CHAMOIS II aims to safeguard the connectivity and long-term viability of Balkan chamois populations within the CHAMOIS-Key Ecological Corridor (KEC) and across the Greek–Albanian border. Building upon the successes and insights gained during the initial phase spanning 2023 to 2025, this follow-up grant continues the work with a strong consortium of experts/partners such as the University of Ioannina (Biodiversity Conservation Lab of the Department of Biological Applications & Technology) [BCL]; Balkan Chamois Society [BCS]; Hellenic Mountain Observatory [HMO]; and the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania [PPNEA]. Specifically, it will (1) increase knowledge on chamois movement ecology, water availability and forest health in the KEC to inform connectivity actions, (2) increase public engagement for chamois conservation connectivity and promote human well-being through a governance action plan involving the main stakeholders, and many targeted activities promoting citizen-science, sustainability and ecotourism, and (3) strengthen cross-border cooperation through a joint event, shared poaching-risk assessment, and knowledge exchange. Together, these actions bridge science, policy, and practice to ensure the resilience of chamois populations and the mountain ecosystems they represent.
PONT Connect is a five-year programme, running from 2025-2029, financed by the French Facility Global Environment (FFEM) and the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.
Written by PONT.
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