Snake Valley - education about an Aesculapian Snake in Eger River Valley
Objectives
TheAction Plan for the Aesculapian Snake in the Czech Republic was approved in 2008. The species lives in the Czech Republic in three areas. Meanwhile the Moravian populations are projections of an integral distribution range, the Czech population in Eger river valley is isolated (several hundreds of kilometre away from continuous range) and this makes it very unique and of an international importance. This population is especially threatened and vulnerable. Rapid decline in abundance has been documented since the 1980s due to various factors including isolation, a very restricted area, landscape changes and increasing anthropogenic pressure. The population in Eger river valley is the northernmost population now surviving under a sub-optimal climate. Probably because of this suboptimal conditions the isolated population of the Aesculapian Snake in Eger river valley is characteristic with its strong liaison to people and their activities. About 95% of animals were recorded in anthropogenic habitats, especially around farms, in the gardens, heaps of composts, dry-stone walls and even inside houses and other buildings. Than the intensive education among local peopal and tourists is very important and crucial for surviving of this unique population. This project includes several enlightenment measures, such as consultancy and information centre, information materials and public enlightenmental events. This is important for the positive attitude to Aesculapian Snake and for the future prosperity of this critically endangered population.
Implementation
1) Consultancy and information center
Enlightment and education is very important due to the strong liaison of the Aesculapian Snake to people and their activities. As a part of the project several measures were implemented in this area, such as:
- building up the outdoor terrarium with an exposition of our snake species
- building up the dry-stone wall as demonstration of natural habitat of reptiles
- creating the so called "natural park Osvinov" with 5 information panels, various type of elements supporting nature (bird boxes, bat box, insect house, stone shelters for lizards, small egg-laying site for snakes and so on.
- new wooden fence arround the "natural park Osvinov"
The "natural park Osvinov" is connected with an information centre with professional staff and various information materials
2) Public enlightenmental events
Two public enlightenmental events were organized as a part of this project.
Opening ceremony (June 20, 2015)
Ceremonial event with small refreshment on the occasion of snake season beginning, presentation of our snake species, unique exhibition of invertebrates, information materials about the Aesculapian Snakes
Closing ceremony (September 26, 2015)
Ceremonial event with small refreshment on the occasion of snake season ending, presentation of Stanislav Wieser photographs of Eger River Valley and the Aesculapian Snakes, presentation of our snake species, unique exhibition of raptors and owls by the club PENTHEA
3) information materials
Various information materials were published as a part of this project - stickers with Aesculapian Snake, coasters with Aesculapian Snake, leaflet of A4 size, familly game pairs of A3 size and tourist map of A3 size.
Results
- "natural park Osvinov" with 5 information panels, various type of elements supporting nature (bird boxes, bat box, insect house, stone shelters for lizards, small egg-laying site for snakes and so on.
- outdoor terrarium with an exposition of our snake species
- dry-stone wall as demonstration of natural habitat of reptiles
- information materials - stickers, coasters, leaflets , familly game pairs and tourist map
- 2 public enlightenmental events with unexpected attendance (about 220 visitors in June 2015 and about 150 visitors in September 2015)
- more than 400 visitors (excluding public enlightenmental events) of the informatin center up today
