Bats of Zagreb – From forest to concrete is a scientific research project that will take place in two contrasting neighborhoods of Zagreb – the forested district of Podsljeme and the urban district of Trnje. The goal of the project is to identify the bat species present at these two contrasting locations, compare their diversity and abundance, and contribute to a better understanding of how urbanization affects wildlife in Zagreb.
Podsljeme is a district located in the northwest of Zagreb, on the slopes of Medvednica Mountain. The area is largely covered by forest, and traffic is less developed compared to the rest of the city. Podsljeme also hides several speleological and abandoned objects that can serve as shelters for our nocturnal fliers. Because of these features, the district provides a suitable habitat for many animals, including bats.
The district of Trnje is located in the center of Zagreb, along the Sava River. As it hosts several major infrastructural facilities, such as the Zagreb Bus Terminal and Most mladosti, Trnje is a high-traffic area that tends to discourage many wild animals. However, some bats have still managed to find shelter in abandoned buildings and underneath bridges.
We will conduct line transects on several occasions between May and September, during which we will use bat detectors to record bat echolocation calls for later analysis. Project results will be presented in BIUS.
You’ll find more information soon on the section’s Instagram @bius_sismisi, or feel free to contact us via email at sismisi.bius@gmail.com
Project leaders: Marina Hajdarović and Marina Batan