Photo exhibition and drawing competition for the conservation of the Hungarian meadow viper

A photo exhibition entitled “On and off the lawn: the protection of the Hungarian meadow viper in the Kiskunság” was opened in the House of Nature. The opening of the exhibition on 18 April 2023 was complemented by the award ceremony of the 3rd Hungarian meadow viper Drawing Competition.

The exhibited pictures provide an insight into the life of the highly protected snake and a snippet of conservation activities. The exhibition was opened by Dr. Zsolt Kalotás, nature photographer, who emphasized the importance of such exhibitions in the understanding of the species.

The exhibition consists of 27 photographs by five photographers – Bálint Halpern, Péter Hencz, dr. Edvárd Mizsei, Viktor Schneider and Zoltán Vajda.

Last year, for the third time, the Kiskunság National Park Directorate organised the Hungarian meadow viper Drawing Competition in schools near viper habitats. The winners were awarded during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

The primary aim of the drawing competition is to help more children to learn about this highly protected reptile and to be proud that this rare species can be found in their neighbourhood. The competition attracted 123 entries from eight schools. It was not easy for the jury to judge the many beautiful and creative entries. The winners and their teachers received certificates and prizes.

Thank you for your beautiful creations! Congratulations to all the winners!

The exhibition of the photos and the winning entries is open until 8 May at the House of Nature.

The photo exhibition and the drawing competition are part of the project „A rákosi vipera természetvédelmi helyzetének javítása a Pannon régióban” (LIFE18 NAT/HU/000799).