People behind AEWA - Jelena Kralj

Bonn, 14 August 2015 - Dr Jelena Kralj works at the Institute of Ornithology of the Croatian Academy of Science and Arts and as well as her connections to AEWA she serves on the CMS Scientific Council.

In Jelena’s experience, AEWA provides the conservation framework for protection of waterbirds on three continents. No matter if one is a scientist, conservationist or politician – under AEWA, one can find numerous initiatives based on the flyway concept, action plans, guidelines, resolutions. All of these are essential in identifying priority species, areas and measures and shaping activities aiming towards the protection of waterbirds and their habitats.
 

“I had a wonderful experience when I was a member of the AEWA Technical Committee for seven years. I had the chance to collaborate with experts from many different fields as well as with the AEWA Secretariat in order to provide the best available knowledge and updated information as a basis for activities under the Agreement. Thanks to that experience, I understood better the complex picture of effective protection of birds and their habitats at both national and international levels” said Jelena.

Like many other of the people featured in this series of profiles, Jelena found it difficult to choose just one species as her favourite from the many extraordinary birds from diverse families covered by AEWA. In the end she opted for the Ferruginous Duck, which is still quite a common species in Croatia.

“The small flock flying on my PC desktop background might easily represent the total population size of some West European countries, but could also show the future size of its population in Croatia. Breeding almost exclusively on spacious carp fishponds with extensive production, this species is dependent on human activities. Facing serious economic problems, fishpond owners sometimes decide to intensify or completely abandon fish production, which are both detrimental for Ferruginous Ducks and many other waterbirds.”

 

Last updated on 14 August 2015