Shebenik-Jabllanica National Park a perfect combination of values

Shebenik-Jabllanica National Park a perfect combination of values

The park itself covers some of the most beautiful mountain areas in the east of the country and it is located in Librazhd District in the Elbasan Region, the area was designated as a national park in 2008, with a total extent of 33,928 ha. Situated around the course of the Shkumbini River, the Park is dominated by mountains and valleys. It ranges in altitude from 300 to 2,260 m above sea level and includes a diversity of geological types, climatic conditions, landscapes, habitats and plant and animal species. The protected area is also home of human communities and includes parts of six local governing unites with a land area of 77,450 ha and the total population of 44,677 inhabitants. 
An integral part of the protected area are aquatic ecosystems including rivers and glacial lakes, while important fish species like migratory eels (Anguilla anguilla) and vulnerable trout (Salmo faroides) and other numerous are part of national park species richness, while the area provide crucial habitat for numerous important animal species.

Among the numerous mammal species, six are listed in Annex II of the Bern Convention requiring strict protection; fourteen other species are listed in the Red Book of Albanian fauna (Annex 7). Species of special conservation interest are: brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx), otter (Lutra lutra), wild cat (Felis silvestris), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens).

Prepared :

Albnatyra staff