On a Croatian Wing and a Prayer: ECO CENTRE CAPUT - INSULAE, BELI, ISLAND OF CRES

by Julia Berg

As everyone knows, there’s nothing that the British public likes more than a great story about animals. When it is a real conservation story in nature, they love it even more.

Croatia as a worthy leisure destination has been presenting the big picture, promoting many regions and yet the work of the Eco Centre in Beli on the island of Cres has particularly grabbed the attention of the British press this year.

The story itself is worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster : 15 years ago, Dr Goran Susic, gave up a “safe” job and set about saving the rare Eurasian griffon vultures remaining on Cres and neighbouring islands. These magnificent birds are under threat from pollution, poisoning, the effects of hunters and electrocution. Dr Susic’s activities simultaneously embraced a much bigger goal and his team’s work is now effectively saving the entire bloodies of this amazing island. Through education, volunteer programmes and endless enthusiasm, the traditional way of life is being maintained, the thousand year old Tramuntana Forest has been opened up with 7 eco-trails, shepherds receive help in maintaining dry-stone walls, ponds are cleared, storm damage is repaired and more. The list is endless.

And tourists are coming. But these are not the kind of tourists who throw ice cream wrappers on beaches and who want only shopping malls. These visitors (many of whom choose to join the week long -or longer - volunteer programmes at the Eco-Centre) appreciate the natural beauty and diversity of Cres.

During 2008, the following UK press featured the story of the Eco-Centre :
Sunday Times, The Times (whose journalist Tony Kelly actually worked for one week as a volunteer), CNN Traveller, Wanderlust, The Independent, Sunday Times Travel Magazine and BBC World came to film there. (Tony Kelly won the 2007 Grand Priz, Zlatna Penkala award for his articles on Croatia).

The UK press has asked to be kept informed about all conservation projects here and elsewhere in Croatia where British visitors may take an active part (as in Beli) in a conservation process. This kind of tourist doesn’t want to be just a spectator – they want to be involved and there is huge growth in volunteer and conservation holidays from the UK.

Last year some 12,000 visitors came to the Eco-Centre and, currently, a project is underway to build the largest aviary-observatory in Europe (and possibly the world) for recuperating Griffon vultures. Funds have been raised for initial works and a further 80,000 Euros is needed. This structure will allow the birds more space to live and rehabilitate before being released back into the wild and visitors will be able to see the griffons feeding, perching, flying and sometimes even being set free without disturbing them. Cameras will provide close-up visuals on big screens and a permanent exhibition will explain the story of the griffon vultures’ history worldwide and their special connection with Cres.