The recent political changes in Eastern Europe have meant that there is a lack of information on the current status of wild animal populations in various areas, especially those affected by conflict. The main aim of this project is to assess the current status of the resident fauna, habitats and migratory flows of species in the Balkan area affected by the recent war in Kosovo (covering the territories of Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo itself), using a regional rather than national approach.

The Balkan Peninsula is the cross roads for three continents, and therefore supports a wide range of flora and fauna. The war in this biodiverse European region has probably had an impact on both the local fauna and migratory species including European and globally threatened species which has not yet been evaluated. The results of this study will serve as a baseline from which management plans can be established, and conservation work undertaken on a regional basis.