Project title: Viability improvement of Hungarian meadow viper populations and habitats in the Pannonian region.

Project acronym: LIFE18 NAT/HU/000799

Main objective:significant improvement of the Conservation Status of the critically endangered Hungarian meadow viper by restoring former distribution range of the species, wherever it is still possible, increasing number and size of populations, their extent and reducing fragmentation with establishment of ecological corridors.

Main activities:

• Proper control of predator species that may be hunted.
• Improvement of capacity and efficiency of breeding conditions in the Viper Conservation Centre.
• Forming recommendations for managing Hungarian Meadow viper habitats.
• Proper information of the main stakeholders and awareness raising to general public.
• Contribution to the further development and sustainable management of all the Natura 2000 sites hosting Hungarian meadow viper populations.
• Increasing the efficiency of transfer of knowledge between professionals, scientists and volunteers regarding the effective conservation of this species and its habitats.
• Restoring the main ecosystem services provided by the viper habitats, increasing carbon fixation and climate regulation component mainly through restoration of wetland patches.
• Conservation of highly species-rich grasslands, as local biodiversity hotspots. is a responsibility in reaching Biodiversity 2020 target at a European level, but also important regionally for supplying pollinators for neighbouring agricultural fields.

Project duration: 01/08/2019 – 31/03/2025

Budget: 4 162 182 EUR (75% of this amount was co funded by the EU Commission)

Coordinating beneficiary: BirdLife Hungary

Associated beneficiaries: Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate, Fertő-Hanság National Park Directorate, Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden

Co-Financier: Ministry of Agriculture