Project Information

Despite previous conservation efforts, the European ground squirrel population in the Pannonian Region is declining drastically at the regional level; existing colonies are shrinking, and the once-contiguous habitat systems are becoming increasingly fragmented and isolated from one another due to the loss of natural connections. These processes increase the colonies’ vulnerability to changing environmental (e.g., climatic) and human impacts, which may adversely affect their survival in the long term.

The principal objective of the project is to ensure the survival of the three distinct genetic lineages identified in the Pannonian region’s European ground squirrel population (Transdanubian, Danube-Tisza, and Trans-Tisza). To this end, by coordinating local and, in the longer term, European-level species conservation efforts, we are establishing a “conservation safety net” that serves as the most important safeguard not only for the region but, through it, for the global European ground squirrel population as well. 

Full budget of the 7-year project: 9,791,425 €
European Union funding: 7,343,568 €
The remaining amount will be provided by the organisations participating in the programme, as well as by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture through government grant schemes..

Project implementation period:
01.12.2025 - 28.02.2033 (87 months)