Vojvodina Blind mole rat initiative
Help Save the Blind Mole Rat – A Grassland Ecosystem Engineer
Across Europe, grasslands are disappearing, taking with them countless species. Among the most threatened are blind mole rats, vital “ecosystem engineers” whose underground burrows enrich the soil, create habitats for other species, and sustain healthy grasslands.
Today, many blind mole rat species survive only in a handful of small, isolated populations, putting them at grave risk of extinction. In Hungary, our partners have led seven translocation projects since 2013—moving individuals to safer habitats to establish new populations. These efforts show promise, but success depends on careful protocols, high-quality habitats, and continued monitoring.
Now, with a newly discovered population in Croatia, the urgency is greater than ever. To give these rare mammals a future, we must act quickly to protect their habitats and expand conservation translocation efforts.
What we are doing
Sites like this where mole-rats can thrive are threatened by agricultural development and urban developments. Many individuals are also trapped or killed by dogs when they disperse above ground.
MCE has started a hands-on project to rescue the individuals in the threatened area by relocating them in a new safe site. We have helped to create the application to the Croatian government for translocation permits and identified release sites. We hope that work to capture the animals will begin in Spring 2026.
How you can help
A tiny population of the Vojodina blind mole-rat has been discovered in Croatia. This is the only known population in the country and fewer than 1,000 individuals are thought to exist globally.
Please help us help them!
www.gofundme.com/f/save-some-of-europes-most-threatened-animals
Your donation can help us rescue and safeguard blind mole rats, ensuring that these unique animals—and the ecosystems they sustain—are not lost forever.