During the last 30 years the European souslik (Spermophilus citellus) is decreasing throughout its European range. There is lack of ecological information about its decline.

The goals of the project are:

- Mapping and establishing the population density of the colonies between the valleys of Topolnitsa and Luda Yana rivers

- Monitoring model colonies for interactions with threatened predators and the importance of the souslik for their diet

- Determination of the population limiting factors

- Outlining souslik's habitat preferences and measures towards the sites' conservation

- Raising public awareness through activities, directed to souslik/habitat/predators importance and conservation