Slovakia Wolf, Lynx, Wildcat (trip)

Slovakia Wolf, Lynx, Wildcat

  • Bratislava Airport, Slovakia
  • Active & Adventure
Slovakia (Slovak Republic), Europe

from £980* per person7 DaysJanuary, February
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Biosphere Expeditions 12 people max
This ecovolunteer project will take you to the Carpathian mountains of Slovakia to monitor lynx, wolf & wildcat populations and their interrelationship with prey species. You will be part of a small international team, working with the local scientist and contributing to an important piece of research. You will track large carnivores through snow in the forest and meadow habitats of the mountains (using snow shoes, which are easy to use) and you may be involved in capturing and radio-collaring them. You will also learn how to recognise and record other signs of their presence, such as radio telemetry signals, scats and scent markings, camera trap them, collect samples to study their diet and for genetic analysis, and survey prey species. All in an effort to create a sustainable future for these icons of the Carpathian wilderness and to promote greater understanding of their role in European ecosystems.

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Locations visited/nearby

Slovakia (Slovak Republic), Europe

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Itinerary

Terrain
Mountains, cliffs with meadows and forests on the lower slopes.

Weather expected during expedition
Cold mountain weather with snow cover and temperatures averaging +5 to -10 deg C.

Expedition base
The expedition base is a 19th century villa built in the heydays of the Austro-Hungarian empire, when the area was a popular spa holiday destination. Rooms have en-suite showers and toilets.

Team size
Up to 12 team members + 1-2 local scientist + 1 expedition leader.

Skills & prerequisites required
None. You don't need to be a scientist or have any special qualifications - everyone can take part and there are no age limits whatsoever.
Can laypeople really be of help to serious research & conservation projects?

Fitness level required
Ability to walk about 10 - 20 km per day in hilly to mountainous terrain with snow cover. If required, you will be given instruction in the use of snow shoes, which are not difficult to learn how to use. Those with existing cross-country or ski mountaineering skiing skills are welcome to bring their equipment as we may make use of their existing skills (in groups with the expedition leader and/or scientist).
Will it be for me or am I too old/young/unfit?

Team assembly point
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
What about carbon neutrality and other environmental and social impact?
Who books my flights?

And finally
Our expeditions are not about playing the primitive, neither are we a military style 'boot-camp'. Our expedition leader and the local scientist will be by your side and we believe strongly that we get the best out of our expedition teams by making them comfortable, safe and well fed. You won’t be living in the lap of luxury, but we will do our best to make you feel comfortable and at home in your working environment, as this is the key to a well-balanced and successful expedition.

More information from Biosphere Expeditions: