The kingfisher, known for its metallic blue plumage, is a relatively rare sight in the Park and can be hard to spot. The dipper is somewhat more common and is often seen foraging along rapids. It typically nests behind waterfalls, in tufa barriers.

The BIOM Association conducted the “Research on Kingfishers and Dippers in Plitvice Lakes National Park” project in 2021 in cooperation with the Park’s Professional Service Department. The research aimed to assess the population status of these two species in the Park area, as well as identify potential threats they face. Both species are protected by law and are Natura 2000 target species for the Park.

Objava Research on Kingfishers and Dippers in Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

This semi-aquatic species is found across most of Europe. It is a carnivore and prefers fish, although it also eats crustaceans, birds, amphibians, and other smaller mammals it is able to catch. It inhabits all types of freshwater habitats, and is also found along the sea coast. Otters are very shy and elusive animals, making them hard to spot. It is easiest to spot them at dusk and dawn, when their activity peaks.

OIKON d.o.o. conducted the research on otters in the Park area between 2019 and 2022 in cooperation with the Park’s Professional Service Department. The research aimed to assess the size and condition of otter populations and individual otters, to determine which space they use and to record potential threats. Monitoring of otters is still ongoing.

The relatively large number of about 25 individuals (confirmed through DNA analysis of the collected samples) indicates that the Park area offers an ideal habitat for this species.

Objava The Otter in Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

The “Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in the Plitvice Lakes National Park Area between 2021 and 2023” project identified 12 amphibian species and 13 reptile species. The research was conducted by the Hyla Association in cooperation with the Park’s Professional Service Department.

Three of these species are target species for the Park area: the Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi), the black salamander (Salamandra atra), and the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex).

The research aimed to document the amphibian and reptile fauna in the Park, assess the population status of the recorded species and identify the threats they face.

Because of their biological traits, they are particularly vulnerable to road accidents—one of the leading threats to their survival—along with pollution, habitat degradation and loss, as well as disease.

Objava Research on Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles) in Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Research and monitoring of the condition of bats in the Park has been conducted for many years. The Croatian Biospeleological Society is conducting “Research and Monitoring of Bats in Speleological and Surface Structures of Plitvice Lakes National Park” in cooperation with the Park’s Professional Service Department. Bats are most easily tracked while they are resting, in caves and other man-made structures, during the day or during winter hibernation.

The aim of monitoring is to determine the population status of individual bat species in Plitvice Lakes National Park, the status of speleological and surface structures they use for winter hibernation, maternity colonies or simply for rest during the warmer part of the year/day.

Bats are excellent indicators of the condition of the ecosystem they inhabit, and monitoring them is a valuable tool for monitoring the state of nature and the impact of climate change and human activity.

Objava Bats of Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

The species is found in open habitats, and nests on high, inaccessible cliffs and trees.

It is a Natura 2000 target species for the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

The Professional Service Department has been monitoring the condition and size of this species in the Park area for many years. It is believed that only one pair lives within the Park area.

Objava The Peregrine Falcon in Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Croatian Ecological Society conducted the project of documenting and monitoring the status of saproxylic beetles between 2021 to 2023 in cooperation with the Park’s Professional Service Department.

The project aimed to assess the distribution of Natura 2000 saproxylic beetle species, determine their ecological traits and assess the population status. The target species for the Plitvice Lakes National Park ecological network area include the long-horned beetle (Morimus funereus), the hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita), and the rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina). In addition to these, several other species of saproxylic “NATURA 2000” beetles have been recorded: the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), the Rhysodes sulcatus, and the flat bark beetle (Cucujus cinnaberinus), along with many other species of saproxylic beetles.

Objava Saproxylic Beetles of Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

For years, the BIOM association and Alectoris Birding d.o.o., in cooperation with the employees of the Park’s expert service, have been carrying out the “Monitoring of collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva) target species as well as other forest songbird species. The monitoring of these species is carried out in regular annual cycles, every two to three years, in order to determine the population status, their numbers and potential threats. The monitoring consists of listening at points along several transects in different areas of the Park.

The populations of these species in the Park area are in good condition, which means that habitats provide plenty of food, shelter and nesting places, all of which indicates a healthy ecosystem.

Objava Monitoring of forest songbirds in the Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

For years, the employees of the Park’s experts service have been monitoring this species. The monitoring has been carried out annually and has consisted of visual census and quadrat counting.

The aim is to determine the population status and potential threats to this species, which would allow for timely conservation measures. For now, the species in the Park area is in good condition.

Objava Amethyst meadow squill in the Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Invasive alien species of crayfish mostly introduced from the North America present a great threat to the indigenous species of crayfish. These “American species” are more aggressive, more fertile and, most importantly, are carriers of a type of crayfish plague (a crayfish fungal disease) introduced with them from the American continent, but are themselves resistant to this plague. On the other hand, European species are not resistant to this type of disease so they die in great numbers in aquatic habitats that they share with alien species if they come into contact with the fungi that cause the disease.

Crayfish monitoring in the Park, carried out annually by the employees of the expert service in cooperation with the Croatian Biological Society for years, consists of monitoring the population status, the mortality of the indigenous species of crayfish and the presence of invasive alien species of crayfish as well as the detection of crayfish plague.

Objava Studying and monitoring crayfish in the Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".