Brussels, 05/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the European Commission launched their joint 'Flying over Natura 2000' project on 2 September. The project aims to make Natura 2000 (the European network of protected areas) better known to the public. All through September and October, black storks - the project's ambassadors - will be followed during their migration. Some two dozen black storks have been fitted with satellite radio transmitters before they migrate across Europe towards their hibernating grounds in Africa. The project has a budget of EUR 330,000, some EUR 150,000 of which comes from the EU.
The black stork is a rare species, whose numbers are growing through efforts in Europe to preserve their natural habitat and protect endangered species. The two dozen black storks involved in this WWF project come from eight Member States (Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Luxembourg, France and Belgium). Their six-week migration (from the beginning of September) will see the birds migrate across Europe along two main migration routes, one across the Strait of Gibraltar to Western Africa, the other across the Bosphorus en route to Eastern Africa. Everyday, for 20 days in total, the storks will be sending a postcard (a special one-minute video clip) to televisions in the participating countries (the eight listed above, plus Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Cyprus). Geoffroy De Schutter of WWF-Belgium, who is in charge of the project, said there has been much more media reaction about the project in the new Member States. European media have until 12 September to get involved (see http: //http://www.flyingover.net )
Under Directive 79/419/EEC on the conservation of wild birds and 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, a network of protected areas has been developed, known as Natura 2000. The network covers more than 18,000 sites, about 15% of the EU landmass. According to Catherine Day, Director General for the Environment at the European Commission, the creation of Natura 2000 is one of the biggest pan-European activities to protect endangered species and natural habitats. Since enlargement last year, the European Commission has started extending Natura 2000 in the new Member States. It will be examining suggested locations sent in by the new Member States at special seminars.