Vipers for Christmas
Last week, we visited Hungarian meadow viper release-sites and with a pipe camera we checked the artificial burrows that had been previously installed on the habitats of Fertő, Hanság, Ócsa Landscape Protection Area and Kiskunság.
Hungarian Meadow Viper Day
As every year, the first Saturday of September is dedicated to Hungarian Meadow Viper Day, so we are waiting those who are interested to learn more about the Hungarian Meadow Viper or our conservation effort with various programs in various corners of the country.
Birth of the new generation of Hungarian meadow vipers
During the past summer altogether 523 Hungarian meadow vipers (261 males and 262 females) were born from 40 females in the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre, celebrating 20th anniversary of its operation this year. Additionally on the 24th of July the number 5000 viper of the species conservation program was born.Az idén 20 éves fennállását ünneplő Rákosi Vipera Védelmi Központban a nyár folyamán 40 nőstény összesen 523 utódja – 261 hím és 262 nőstény – jött a világra, és ezzel a jubileumi évben, 2024. július 24-én megszületett a fajmegőrzést célzó tenyésztési program 5000. rákosi viperája is.
Historic moments of our species conservation program
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre – a unique facility not only in Hungary but all over Europe.
Handover of the farm with buffaloes and vipers: on May 24, we held the handover ceremony of the renovated “Buffalo farm” (Bivalyos-tanya).
The farm building, which was reconstructed from the LIFE HUNVIPHAB (LUFE18 NAT/HU/000799) project for Hungarian Meadow Viper conservation, has two main functions.
Snake Medicine Day
Organized by the Budapest Zoo, we invited veterinary specialists to another professional event in April as part of the LIFE project.
Species conservation workshop for the Hungarian meadow viper
At the start of our ongoing LIFE project, we set a goal to summarize knowledge about the Hungarian meadow viper and its conservation, reviving a process which once provided significant inspiration for the launch of our species conservation program 20 years ago.
Reptile Telemetry Workshop
On March 19th, the Cave Hall of Budapest Zoo hosted the Reptile Telemetry Workshop, organised for the first time by our project. The one-day event was a hybrid event with in person and online participants sharing their practical experiences about the telemetry tracking of reptiles.
Return to the wild – reintroduction of more than 200 Hungarian meadow vipers
Over the summer, more than 200 Hungarian meadow vipers were released into five habitats in two national parks. The Hungarian Meadow Viper Centre is a key part of the conservation programme, as those snakes that are born and raised in the Centre play a key role in boosting and strengthening the natural populations after reintroduction, preserving genetic diversity, and guaranteeing long-term survival of this unique snake.
Variety of programs on the Hungarian Meadow Viper Day
Our Saturday was full of events with thematic lectures, tours, educational stalls and interactive games at several venues on the Hungarian Meadow Viper Day, organized for the 11th time.