The opening of the sterlet hatchery in Apače on 19 June 2026, followed by a public festival on 20 June, brought together conservation partners and the local community to welcome the return of the “Mura dragon”.
Institute REVIVO officially opened Slovenia’s first sterlet hatchery beside the Mura River near the Friendship Bridge in Apače. Established within LIFE-Boat 4 Sturgeon, the facility joins the project’s conservation infrastructure in Austria and Hungary, supporting efforts to restore threatened sturgeon populations in the Danube basin.
The hatchery is dedicated to the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), affectionately known locally as the “Mura dragon”. Operated by REVIVO, it rears young sterlets for gradual release into the Mura River.
International cooperation for sterlet conservation
The opening brought together representatives of the Municipality of Apače, nature conservation institutions and fishing organisations from Slovenia and Austria, alongside project partners.
REVIVO director Dr Polona Pengal highlighted the years of cooperation needed to establish the facility and the role of sterlet conservation in restoring the Mura’s river ecosystem. Dr Thomas Friedrich, LIFE-Boat 4 Sturgeon project coordinator at BOKU University, emphasised the importance of international cooperation for the long-term recovery of sturgeons in the Danube basin.
The Mayor of Apače, Dr Andrej Steyer, captured the local connection to the species: “In Ljubljana, they often take pride in their dragon, but theirs is made of stone. Here in Apače, we are proud to have a living dragon — our Mura dragon.”
Guests toured the facility and took part in a symbolic release of young sterlets supplied by the project’s hatchery in Vienna.
The hatchery uses water from the Mura River to rear its fish. This approach is intended to support imprinting on the river’s characteristic chemical signals, with the aim of helping the sterlets recognise the Mura as they grow and migrate. Their long-term recovery also depends on suitable habitats and river connectivity.
A festival brings the Mura dragon closer to the community
On 20 June, REVIVO welcomed the wider public to “Murski zmaj se predstavi” — “Meet the Mura Dragon”, a festival held beside the hatchery.
The festival was financed by Slovenia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning through the supporting initiative “Murski zmaj se predstavi”.
Around 100 visitors, including families, local residents and guests from Austria, joined guided hatchery tours, workshops, presentations and creative activities. Participating organisations helped visitors explore the life of the sterlet and the importance of conserving the Mura River.
