North Macedonia’s mix of mountains, lakes and river valleys supports a surprising variety of wildlife — and some of it is under real pressure from habitat loss, pollution and changing land use. A short, focused list can help pinpoint where conservation matters most.
There are 10 Endangered Species in North Macedonia, ranging from Egyptian Vulture to Scardic Tulip. For each, you’ll find below the Scientific name, Status, Range (N. Macedonia) so you can see where they occur and how they’re classified — you’ll find below.
Where are the Egyptian Vulture and Scardic Tulip typically found in North Macedonia?
The Egyptian Vulture nests on cliffs and feeds across open landscapes and agricultural valleys, often near rocky outcrops and trash-free grazing areas; sightings concentrate around mountainous regions and river corridors. The Scardic Tulip (Tulipa scardica) grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes, especially in the Šar/Scardic Mountains and other high-elevation grasslands.
What practical steps can I take to help protect these endangered species locally?
Support habitat protection and restoration, avoid disturbing nesting or flowering sites, report sightings to local conservation groups, reduce use of pesticides and improper waste disposal, and choose responsible tourism operators — small, consistent actions help maintain the habitats listed below.
Endangered Species in North Macedonia
| Name | Scientific name | Status | Range (N. Macedonia) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Vulture | Neophron percnopterus | EN | Demir Kapija Gorge, Mariovo region, and eastern mountains. |
| Saker Falcon | Falco cherrug | EN | Open grasslands and agricultural plains in the central and eastern parts. |
| European Ground Squirrel | Spermophilus citellus | EN | Remnant colonies in open grasslands and pastures, particularly around Skopje. |
| Prespa Barbel | Barbus prespensis | CR | Endemic to Lake Prespa and its tributary streams. |
| Prespa Trout | Salmo peristericus | EN | Streams flowing into Lake Prespa, particularly the Brajcinska and Kranska rivers. |
| Prespa Spined Loach | Cobitis meridionalis | EN | Endemic to Lake Prespa and its immediate surroundings. |
| Prespa Roach | Rutilus prespensis | EN | Found only in Lake Prespa and its outlet. |
| Pelasgian Chub | Squalius peloponensis | EN | Vardar river basin and its main tributaries. |
| Macedonian Grayling | Pseudochazara cingovskii | CR | A tiny area in the Pletvar pass, near Prilep. |
| Scardic Tulip | Tulipa scardica | EN | High mountain pastures of the Shar Mountains (Šar Planina). |
Images and Descriptions
Egyptian Vulture
A small, intelligent vulture with white plumage and a bright yellow face. Its population has plummeted due to poisoning from baited carcasses, electrocution on power lines, and habitat loss. It’s a vital part of the ecosystem, cleaning up carrion and preventing disease spread.
Saker Falcon
A large, powerful falcon prized for its hunting prowess. This magnificent bird is threatened by the loss of its grassland habitat, a decline in prey species like ground squirrels, and illegal trafficking for falconry. Its numbers have declined rapidly across its range.
European Ground Squirrel
A small, social rodent that lives in underground burrow systems. These squirrels are a keystone species, providing food for predators like eagles. Their habitat has been destroyed by the conversion of grasslands to intensive agriculture, leading to severe population fragmentation and decline.
Prespa Barbel
A fish species found nowhere else on Earth. It is critically endangered due to water pollution from agricultural runoff, illegal fishing, and the introduction of non-native species that compete for food and habitat. Protecting Lake Prespa’s water quality is crucial for its survival.
Prespa Trout
A unique trout species adapted to the cold, clear streams feeding Lake Prespa. It is severely threatened by water abstraction for irrigation, which dries up its spawning grounds, pollution, and hybridization with introduced brown trout, which dilutes its unique genetics.
Prespa Spined Loach
A small, bottom-dwelling fish unique to the Prespa basin. This loach is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Its population is declining due to water pollution, habitat degradation, and extreme water level fluctuations in the lake, which impact its shallow-water habitats.
Prespa Roach
Another fish species that exists only in Lake Prespa. It faces threats from all sides, including pollution, the introduction of invasive fish species that prey on its young, and unsustainable fishing practices. Its fate is directly tied to the overall health of the lake ecosystem.
Pelasgian Chub
A freshwater fish facing a serious decline. Its existence is threatened by extensive river pollution from industry and urban areas, habitat destruction due to dam construction and gravel extraction, and severe water abstraction, which reduces river flow and degrades its environment.
Macedonian Grayling
One of Europe’s rarest butterflies, found only on a few dry, rocky slopes in North Macedonia. This highly localized species is critically endangered due to quarrying activities that are destroying its only known habitat. Any further habitat loss could lead to its immediate extinction.
Scardic Tulip
A beautiful, wild yellow tulip endemic to the Balkans. This rare plant is threatened by over-collection for gardens, overgrazing by livestock which prevents it from flowering and setting seed, and habitat changes due to climate change affecting the delicate alpine environment where it grows.
