A system for registration of gunshots on part of the protected area „Vihren“
Published on 09 November 2020
Bulgaria
Yugozapaden
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Major challenges faced by Pirin National Park include illegal hunting and the illegal fishing. Hunting is usually performed by using guns and different types of ammunitions. Often the locals use explosives for fishing in the river basins. To tackle with this problem the administration of the Pirin National Park decided to implement and use a system for registration of gunshots. The system allows the park administration to register in real time any shots or explosions. As of today there are four sensors mounted at controlling points in the “Vihren” park area, which is the most urbanized and the most accessible part of the mountain by potential poachers. In the Vihren’s part of the park is also situated the largest population of wild goats (Rupicapra rupicapra) on the whole Balkan peninsula. There are also populations, although small, of brown bears (Ursus arctos). The implementation of the system for registration of shots will help improve the conservation status of the above mentioned protected animals as well as of other species like the rabbit and the deer, which also populate this particular protected area. The so implemented system allows those officers who sit in the office of the administration, as well as those who are patrolling in the mountain, with access to field information in real time. The system also has functionalities to record other sounds and reproduce the recorded information upon necessity.
Expert opinion
The positioning of sensors to record gunshots can by no means be considered as a measure that per se improves the conservation status of protected species in natural parks and reserves. However, it can serve as a deterrent against illegal hunting and illegal fishing. Therefore, local and regional authorities may consider this good practice only to supplement other proactive initiatives aimed making sure that illegal activities in protected areas are monitored, stopped, prosecuted, sanctioned and ultimately prevented from taking place. It is worth recalling, in this regard, that the competent authorities in the Member States have the primary duty to guarantee the full application of all the relevant provisions against illegal hunting and fishing established by the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, including the ban on the prohibited methods and means of capture and killing (such as explosives) that applies to all plant and animal species of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subjected to management measures.
Resources needed
A set of 5 sound sensors and a software application, which can cover five areas of concern will cost approximately EUR 10 000. The funds can be provided by the municipal authorities, foreign donors and local stakeholders.
Evidence of success
The system is in a process of implementation by the administration of National Park Pirin. After the start of the system in February 2020 the administration registered almost 100% reduction of hunting activities, which use ammunitions in the area where the gunshot sensors were located. Herds of goats are more often detected by the park staff in the area covered by the system. Photos materials show increased number of animals in the herds.
Potential for learning or transfer
The implementation of a gunshot tracking system is a new method to identify illegal hunting activities, which use guns and explosives. The system can be implemented in other areas where it is hard for the security officers to monitor effectively the whole area due to its big size or due to seasonal circumstances as is the case with the mountain areas, which are usually covered by snow during the winter seasons. Based on the effectiveness of the implemented system, the good practice can be recommended to other countries with similar challenges.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
National Park Pirin
Bulgaria
Yugozapaden
Contact
Chairman