Ancient lakes and undiscovered mountain ranges
In the triangle between Albania, Greece and Macedonia in the far South of the Balkan Green Belt there is one of the most intriguing and varied landscapes of Europe. Lake Ohrid and Great and Little Prespa Lake are framed in impressive mountain ranges and are among the most ancient lakes in the world. Near and in the lakes there are a notable number of endemic species – that is to say species found nowhere else.
In the two Prespa lakes alone there are seven endemic fish species. And Dalmatian Pelicans - threatened worldwide with extinction - are here in great numbers benefiting from the extraordinary wealth of fish in the lakes. More than 1000 pairs of these majestic birds breed on the Little Prespa Lake - this is the largest colony world-wide. Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid are among the longest-standing EuroNatur project areas. Our foundation has been active here since 1993.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of EuroNatur and its Albanian partner organisation PPNEA the Prespa Lakes in Albania are now secured with their entire catchment area as a National Park and as an important element in the mosaic of the Balkan Green Belt. The Prespa National Park itself additionally forms part of the trans-boundary Prespa Park which links Albanian, Macedonian and Greek nature reserves along the one-time Iron Curtain.
An exclusive Nature Guide to this very special corner of South East Europe is available at the EuroNatur Service GmbH shop.
Read more about the EuroNatur projects for the protection of species diversity in the Prespa-Ohrid region and about important nature conservation successes