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Cres and Lošinj dolphins

It is an established fact: where there are dolphins the sea is clean, and such is the sea surrounding Cres and Lošinj, were some 120 dolphins reside. The dolphins in this maritime zone are one of the best study populations of bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean. The "Adriatic Dolphin Project" was set up in 1987 and since then the dolphins have been continuously studied and protected.
In the course of the years numerous data on biology, ecology, behaviour and threats for bottlenose dolphins have been gathered in the Cres and Lošinj area and rules of behaviour in their vicinity can be found on Internet pages of the Blue world – Sea Research and Protection Institute – www.plavi-svijet.org
The dolphins are recognized by means of their dorsal fin and there are no two dolphins with identical fins. The fins differ in terms of shape, scars and wounds suffered in the course of the dolphin's life. Scientists take pictures of their dorsal fins and based on these photographs may distinguish the dolphins and get a lot of information about them (e.g. which is the size, dynamics, structure of the population in question). Thus the most frequently seen dolphins in the area get a name. Some of the best known Lošinj dolphins are Belugo, Faccia, Meta, Mush, Debby, Sonja, Phil, Monk, Grifo... In August 2006, in order to ensure the necessary protection for the Cres and Lošinj bottlenose dolphins, the Lošinj Dolphins Reserve was established, the first of its kind on the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. Currently the Cres and Lošinj maritime zone is under preventive protection until the laws and rules for the reserve come into force. The promoters of the “Adriatic Dolphin Project” have been awarded the "Henry Ford" international environmental protection award for their scientific work, contribution to the protection and preservation of bottlenose dolphins.
Bottlenose dolphins (Mush, Sonja, Debby and Meta), can be adopted thus giving a contribution to the dolphins protection project.

Griffon vultures on the island of Cres

The ecological centre "Caput Insulae", established in 1993 on the island of Cres, in Beli, has been dedicating long-time care to the protection of the griffon vultures, one of the four types of vultures still living in Europe. The griffon vultures nest on steep cliffs above the sea, sometimes only some 10 meters above the sea surface, where they can be easily observed, but are more exposed to various dangers at the same time. Scientists from the ecological center mark the young birds, to be able to identify them later on.

Griffon vultures have been noticed on neighbouring islands, too.

The brown bear in Gorski kotar

The population of the biggest animal in Europe - the brown bear, in Gorski kotar corresponds to the capacity of the habitat there. It is rich in forests and its preserved original structure and peace represent the main prerequisite for bears laying in their dens and having their young there. Research has been carried out by telemetric monitoring of the brown bear’s movements, and bears caught in Gorski kotar have been successfully moved (reintroduced) in Lower Austria forests in order to restock the local bear population, currently in extinction.




 

Scampi

Scampi are the most appreciated Adriatic crabs, in high demand everywhere, but not present everywhere. Even in the Adriatic sea they inhabit only some of its parts. Their main settlements are in the northern Adriatic area and in the narrow area of Blitvenica, in Central Adriatic. For this reason many call it Kvarner crab. They occupy a significant place in Croatian commercial fishing. They are generally caught by means of trawls and special fish traps, throughout the year, day and night, best in moonlit nights, when they leave their shelters in the mud, in search for food. The biggest catches are usually recorded in the mid-spring to mid-summer period. Scampi are a real gastronomic delicacy and an unavoidable treat in all Kvarner restaurants.