 For the last 23 years, Yorgos Mertzanis, PhD Biology-Zoology (bear specialist), has been active in the field of wildlife conservation and namely of large carnivores and in particular of brown bear conservation issues in Greece and the S. Balkan region. As head scientist in two national NGO’s he has been the scientific coordinator of four LIFE-Nature (EU) projects on brown bear conservation (1994-2004) and of one project on wolf conservation (1999-2001) in Greece. Furthermore he has been the co-ordinator of a six year (2003-2008) monitoring project on the impact evaluation of highway construction upon bear habitat and population connectivity in Greece. He has attended 30 international conferences, has made 14 scientific publications, 15 technical reports and has 12 contributions in book editions. He has supervised 10 graduate and post-graduate students, and has given lectures at the University of Ioannina, Greece during academic year 2001-2002. He has participated in more than 30 filed missions in Greece, Balkans, Europe and the USA. He is member of the LCIE/Core Group (Large Carnivore Initiative of Europe), the EBBET (European Brown Bear Expert Team) and the IUCN/SSC/BSG (Bear Specialist Group).  Eleni, Ph.D. Biology-Zoology, is a field researcher and has worked with wild animals for nearly 10 years. She has participated in various animal conservation and habitat management projects in Greece and elsewhere. Since 2001, her research interests have focused on mammalian conservation biology, and, in particular, bats. Eleni is one of the few bat experts in Greece. She is currently working as a lecturer on ecology and animal conservation in the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management at the University of Ioannina, Greece.  Haritakis (Biologist, MSc in Conservation Biology, Ph.D. student) has been involved in nature conservation and wildlife management for nearly 20 years, as a field researcher in projects for bear, Balkan chamois, amphibians, raptors, flora and Natura habitats. His expertise lies mainly in Balkan chamois ecology and biogeography. Haritakis has been an active member of several NGOs, and leads one for chamois conservation. Originated from Papingo, he has also an excellent knowledge of nature and local culture in N. Pindos mountain range. He collaborates presently with the Developmental Society of the Prefecture of Ioannina in the field of rural development, culture maintenance and ecotourism. He has authored two books and several scientific publications. |
