Aiming to provide professional training in sustainable hunting tourism, cultivate ecological awareness, and use technology for nature protection and sustainable development, the European project SHUNTDIEM has launched at Aristotle University.

The SHUNTDIEM project—”Strengthening Hunting Tourism Students’ Competences Through Connecting With Stakeholders via Digitisation of Educational Materials” is funded by the Erasmus+ 2021–2027 program of the European Union. It aspires to create a new generation of scientists and professionals equipped with modern skills, ecological sensitivity, and the ability to harness digital technology for the benefit of nature and sustainable growth.

SHUNTDIEM began on September 1, 2024, and will run until August 31, 2027. The Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague coordinates the project. Partners include the University of Novi Sad (Serbia), the University of Zagreb (Croatia), and from Greece, the Aristotle University, represented by the Laboratory of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment. Professor Dimitrios Bakaloudis, Professor of Ecology and Wildlife Management, serves as the project’s scientific coordinator.

SHUNTDIEM aims to build an international network of cooperation among students, academics, and professionals in hunting tourism. It promotes sustainable hunting practices, biodiversity conservation, and the integration of innovative digital tools in education.

Through the project, partners will develop:

-A multilingual digital dictionary on hunting tourism, available through a mobile application.

-An online semester course on hunting tourism, focusing on sustainable management and environmental awareness.

-An online training and promotion platform for hunting tourism.

-A summer educational school in Croatia and two educational field trips in Greece, including visits to controlled hunting areas and game breeding facilities.

All activities aim to strengthen students’ and professionals’ skills and digital competencies while promoting sustainable practices that help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis on ecosystems and wildlife species.

The Contribution of the Wildlife Laboratory

The Laboratory of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries at the Aristotle University was founded in 1990 and has a long tradition of research and education in wildlife conservation and management.

The Laboratory team has coordinated and participated in numerous European and national research projects focused on protecting endangered and endemic species in Greece and Cyprus, controlling invasive species, and halting the population decline of rare birds of prey through innovative techniques.

At the same time, the Laboratory actively engages in environmental education and awareness-raising for young people through the Wildlife Museum and Aquarium. It participates in scientific committees such as the NATURA 2000 network, initiatives for the management of large carnivores in urban areas and zoos, and international conventions including CITES.

More information: https://shuntdiem.czu.cz/en