Shy Albanian pelicans thrive during pandemic

Less visitors meant the numbers of birds grew in the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park

Divjaka: The pandemic has brought one good thing to western Albania’s Divjaka-Karavasta Lagoon — badly needed peace and quiet for endangered mating pelicans, and resulting population growth.

Regional environmental officials say nesting pairs have increased by one-fifth in the last two years, from 68 in 2019 to 85 this year, even as numbers of human visitors have halved. They’re huge birds, reaching up to six feet (nearly two meters) in length and 11 feet (more than three meters) in wingspan.

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The seaside Divjaka-Karavasta National Park covers around 22,000 hectares (55,000 acres), including a long sandy beach, a saltwater lagoon dotted with mudflats and tiny islands and a strip of pine forest. Situated 90 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of the capital, Tirana, it’s home to around 260 bird species.

But it’s best known for the “curly pelicans,’ as the locals call the giant Dalmatian Pelicans, who have their only nesting colony in Albania here — on minute Pelican Island where they spend December to June.

“Peace and quiet during the pandemic has helped us a lot in the preservation of Pelican Island,” said Adrian Koci, head of the Regional Agency of Protected Areas.

Koci, a veterinarian, also cares for other injured birds from as far afield as neighbouring Kosovo and Montenegro. A few years ago, the UN Development Programme helped him launch Albania’s first bird recovery centre.

Two Dalmatian Pelicans, named Johnny and Vlashi, have called the centre home for the past three years. Johnny can’t fly because of a damaged wing. But Vlashi can, and both are relaxed with visiting tourists. Staff regard them as part of their family, and often buy fish themselves to feed them.

From 1,300 in 2014, visitors rose to a difficultly manageable 5,50,000 in 2019. Last year, that number was halved because of the pandemic. Staff say that on the whole, it would be better to regain visitors lost to the coronavirus restrictions as their donations are badly needed.