Over the past six years, multi-partner rewilding efforts have supported the recovery of endangered Dalmatian pelican populations across southeastern Europe. Coordinated by Rewilding Europe and supported by the European Commission, the “Pelican Way of LIFE” initiative has secured a brighter future for this majestic bird and emphasised the importance of wetland restoration.

The year 2025 began with a historic achievement for Bulgarian conservation efforts. A new breeding colony of the endangered Dalmatian pelican has been established in Bulgaria. The birds have occupied artificial islands built by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) within the Natura 2000 site “Mandra-Poda Complex” near the city of Burgas. This marks the fourth breeding site for the species in Bulgaria, alongside Lake Srebarna, Persin Island (Belene), and the Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area.

At the end of 2024, significant strides have been made in enhancing the nesting of Dalmatian pelicans in Persina Nature Park in Bulgaria. The Directorate of the Park has completed the construction and repair of four wooden nesting platforms, crucial for the survival and reproduction of these magnificent birds.

As 2024 concludes, the Pelican Way of LIFE project celebrates significant milestones in the conservation of the Dalmatian pelican across Europe.

An international census of wintering Dalmatian pelicans on the Balkan Peninsula took place at the end of this year. The census aimed to collect data on the population size and distribution of the endangered Dalmatian pelican in the surveyed area.

At the end of October, a team of experts and volunteers from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) carried out several activities to improve nesting conditions for the protected Dalmatian pelican in the “Kalimok-Brushlen” Protected Area.

Overhead power lines pose a severe threat to birds, especially large species, often leading to fatal collisions. To reduce this risk, conservation efforts, such as installing diverters, have proven effective; for instance, the team of the Romanian Ornithological Society recently added diverters to high-risk lines to protect bird populations.

The third edition of the volunteer conservation camp organized by the Directorate of Persina Nature Park under the “Pelican Way of LIFE” initiative recently took place.

It has been three years since the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) started tracking the journeys and adventures of the Great white pelican named Vaya. On September 15, 2021, the team successfully captured and tagged a female Great white pelican with a satellite transmitter in the area of Lake Burgas. This is the first Great white pelican tagged with a transmitter in Bulgaria.

On September 17, a one-day seminar focused on activities for the conservation of the Dalmatian pelican in Bulgaria took place in Ruse.