On Wednesday, November 17, in the premises of the Educational and Visitor Center “Podravlje”, after a tour of the field, the educational and recreational trail “Perunika” was taken over from the contractor of the company Energogradnja. The trail is about 5 km long. By taking an easy walk from the first to the last (tenth) station, visitors can learn something. Protected plants of the Natura 2000 area can be found on this trail. You can also learn more about the geological past and soil formation in the project area, learn about soil types, forest communities, and learn why the floodplain is important. They will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Siberian iris meadow, as well as learn what are the most common types of iris, what is the difference between Siberian and Croatian iris, but also about allochthonous plant species and their invasiveness. As the nest of the protected bald eagle is in the immediate vicinity of this trail, the active eagle’s nest can be observed without being disturbed by binoculars from the observation post, next to one of the educational boards. On the part of the trail that passes by the hunting checkpoint and game feeders, visitors – walkers will get acquainted with the growth of antlers and the differences between deer antlers and roe deer. A small bridge was built on the trail on the occasionally flooded Jančibara pond. After seven days from the handover of the educational-recreational trail “Perunika” was completed by the contractor Binder d.o.o. taken instructive – recreational trail “Veliko Polje”. This trail stretches into a defensive embankment on the left side of the Drava River in a stretch from the zoo to the state road D – 7. It is about 2 km long and its six educational boards, can be walked easily, by bike or of course on foot. At it, visitors will be informed about protected animals and learn something about their endangerment, and why they are important for Natura 2000 sites. Further on this trail one can learn something about beaver, otter, as well as about endangered and protected bird species. Visitors will be introduced to the division of birds according to migrations, silhouettes of birds of prey and regionally extinct animal species.
