Heat Wave Impacts Balkans and Exposes Animal Welfare Issues in Montenegro

The intense heat wave affecting Western Europe has reached the Balkans. In Montenegro, animal welfare activists are raising alarms over an existing issue: abandoned animals. Several horses were seen roaming near the outskirts of the capital, Podgorica, without shelter, water, or food. With temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), activists voiced concerns for the animals’ well-being.

“This is only 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) from the city center,” said Marta Darmanovic, an animal protection advocate. “It’s not in the middle of nowhere.” Europe is experiencing record-breaking heat, overloading hospitals and leaving people struggling to cool down. In France, this week’s temperatures have surpassed those during the historic 2003 heat wave, which was linked to 15,000 deaths, many of whom were elderly. Hungary set a new national heat record of 42 °C (107.6 °F) on Tuesday, according to preliminary figures from the National Meteorological Service.

In Podgorica, Montenegro, the open area where horses have gathered is near an illegal landfill and several makeshift settlements. How the animals ended up there or if they belong to anyone remains unclear. Darmanovic expressed disbelief over the lack of facilities for large animals. “It’s incredible that a country doesn’t have a shelter for large confiscated animals, lost livestock, and wildlife,” she stated. “Montenegro has effectively legalized animal mistreatment by not providing even minimal infrastructure to enforce rules.” The Adriatic nation, with a population of 620,000, aims to join the European Union by 2028. EU candidate countries must have animal welfare laws to gain entry.

Branko Kovacevic, head of Podgorica’s Municipal Inspection Administration, noted that city authorities have established shelters for dogs and cats. His department is now working to address issues related to larger animals within the current legal framework. “Horses and other abandoned domestic animals keep appearing,” Kovacevic said. “As far as the law permits, we will handle the situation.” He emphasized that “unfortunately, no one is responsible” for providing food or water to the animals.

Although Montenegro and other Balkan countries are more accustomed to summer heat than places like Britain or France, authorities have advised people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water. Temperatures in the region are expected to drop by Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Croatia’s eastern city of Osijek, local zoo animals receive ice made of fruit and meat to help them cope with the heat. A zoo employee told HRT that monkeys prefer staying indoors to rest. “They enjoy cold watermelons, melons, and grapes,” said the employee, Zeljko Busljeta. “They are also given lemonade and cold tea.”

This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the aid of a generative artificial intelligence tool.