Protecting endangered Hungarian meadow viper populations

An ongoing package of practical LIFE Nature support is helping Hungarian authorities protect and improve the conservation status of one of Europe’s endangered snakes.

The Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis) is classified as threatened and vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. As such the conservation status of this endangered European species remains a high priority. The small venomous snake was once more prolific, inhabiting parts of Austria, Romania and Bulgaria, but the only remaining populations are now found in isolated pockets throughout Hungary. Intensification of agricultural practices is linked to the decline of this species and LIFE Nature projects have been used effectively to help boost the viper’s conservation status.

LIFE actions

LIFE actions are targeting around 95% of the remaining Vipera ursinii population. Initially, nearly € 325 000 was awarded to a four year LIFE Nature project which was launched in January 2004. This has subsequently been followed up by a larger LIFE + project contributing around € 1 700 000 for viper conservation works that will continue in Hungary until the end of 2013.

The 2004 LIFE project focused its attention on reducing the decline in species numbers by helping Hungarian conservation bodies acquire the land where vipers were known to live. This approach was considered necessary to provide maximum protection for the endangered species and also facilitate rapid restoration of relevant habitat features to help boost the sustainability of snake populations. Core conservation works involved recreating grasslands, removing forest stands close to viper habitats and developing ecological corridors that helped to both reconnect isolated populations as well as provide the endangered species with a safe winter hibernation environment on elevated ground where risks from high seasonal groundwater levels were minimised.

Coordinated by BirdLife Hungary, in partnership with National Park authorities and the Ministry of Environment, LIFE support during the first four years led to some useful successes and paved the way for the present ongoing project. Much of the work has been undertaken in the Peszéradacs region of Kiskunság, although monitoring activities were carried out in all areas where the species is found, including Bugac, Dabas-Gyón and Hanság.

Early endeavours involved building a knowledge-base about the viper habitats and its habits. This information was used to determine objective parameters and management guidelines for the species’ conservation plans. Such outcomes are being built on by the new LIFE + activities, which are making good use of the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre.

Viper Conservation Centre

Established by the initial LIFE project, primarily as a captive breeding facility, the Centre provides the beneficiary with a key tool to help achieve its species conservation objectives. LIFE’s viper breeding programme started with 10 snakes and the Centre now has around 400 ready for reintroduction by the new LIFE + project. Experts from Budapest zoo were involved with the Centre’s successful breeding programme which generated a great deal of useful new information about the snakes’ reproduction, behaviour and ecology. Interesting developments included the production of artificial burrow systems that were designed to act as hiding or wintering places for the captive vipers. In addition, the Centre also plays an important role in tackling key public communication challenges regarding the protection of poisonous snakes.

Good Practices

The project partners remain satisfied with the results of their first project, which received a Best of the Best LIFE Nature award this year, and their new LIFE + project is already making useful progress in furthering the previous good practices. These extend not only to the practical conservation work but also incorporate the beneficiary’s web-based communication approach, promoted in the LIFE programme advice guides, for its effectiveness in raising appropriate awareness about the, sometimes controversial, conservation actions involved in LIFE’s support for one of Europe’s venomous, but still very vulnerable and globally endangered species

Establishing the background of saving the Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis) from extinction
LIFE04 NAT/HU/000116