Flamingos in the deserted salt flats near Ulcinj, Montenegro. Photo: Center for the Protection and Study of Birds.

A recent report on biodiversity in the Western Balkans, released on Thursday by the German EuroNatur Foundation—a nature conservation organization—underscores the urgent need for action to protect endangered natural habitats.

This report identifies regions facing habitat threats and outlines animal species needing protection across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

In Albania, the Vjose-Narte area, famous for its diverse birdlife and wetlands, is under serious threat from the construction of the Vlora International Airport. Over 200 bird species, including the endangered Dalmatian Pelican and the Greater Flamingo, depend on its ecosystem.

Concerns are raised as the government has redefined protected areas to accommodate the airport project, thereby excluding 310 hectares of vital habitat in the southern region, which has alarmed conservationists.

The report warns, “The construction of Vlora International Airport, part of a broader agenda to convert this biologically rich area into a tourism and infrastructure hub, threatens to silence the lagoon’s lively ecosystem.”

Additionally, the report examines the expansive Livanjsko Polje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, designated as a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area, which currently lacks national protection. Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international significance recognized by the Ramsar Convention.

Seasonal flooding maintains a variety of habitats and supports agriculture; however, issues such as unregulated water management, peat extraction, and insufficient legal frameworks pose significant threats to its viability.

Efforts to formally protect Livanjsko Polje have stalled, highlighting governance challenges in Bosnia and its disjointed environmental policies.

Montenegro’s Ulcinj Salina, formerly a productive salt production area, is also highlighted as a conservation battleground. Recognized as a candidate for the Emerald Network, this area is home to more than 250 bird species, but privatisation and neglect have deteriorated its ecosystems.

The report describes, “a struggle that pits traditional livelihoods and environmental conservation against exclusive economic interests, leaving the entire ecosystem and local communities at a critical juncture.”

Designated as a Nature Park in 2019, Salina has yet to establish a formal management body, which is hampering restoration initiatives.

The Adriatic Flyway, an essential bird migration path, faces threats from unlawful bird killings, particularly in Serbia, the report indicates. Annually, around 163,000 birds, including quail and raptors, are killed, disrupting the ecological equilibrium. Weak enforcement of laws aggravates the problem, undermining Serbia’s commitment to international conservation treaties.

The report also highlights the critical danger to the Balkan lynx, one of Europe’s most endangered large carnivores, found in the forests and mountains of the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo.

With fewer than 40 lynx remaining in the wild, this species is on the brink of extinction. Its survival is crucial not only as a keystone species but also as an indicator of the environmental health of the region.

The report calls for stronger legal frameworks, more rigorous enforcement of conservation laws, and increased community engagement. Recommendations include habitat restoration, aligning local economies with biodiversity objectives, and harmonizing national policies with EU environmental standards.