Kopački rit is a nature park that stretches across 23.230 acres and is located only a few kilometers from Osijek. This is a unique area in Europe because in it is the biggest natural fish hatchery, habitat of roe deer, well know capital deers and does, beavers, otters, wild boars and feathered game, a real orinthological paradise. In Kopački rit there are 293 species of birds, that make up 78 percent of Croatia's orinthofauna. Here we also have 44 types of fish and more than 2000 different biological species of which many are rare and endangered at a world level. Especially interesting are the birds that nest in colonies and in the park a large number of endangered species such as the black stork or the White-tailed Eagle can be seen.

Kopački rit is a natural «laboratory» which is invaluable and which attracts year after year, more and more visitors, that can have long walks on miles long educational paths which have along them information stands with basic info on important plant and animal species. It is an extremely valuable, natural swamp area, one of the rarest in Europe that represents an extraordinary example of creation and evolution of swamp eco systems and flooded areas. Because of its preserved eco system , biological diversity and extraordinary scientific and biological value, Kopački rit was in 1967. protected with a status of a natural reserve. Nine years later a smaller area of the reserve, 7700 acres, got the status of a special zoo reserve, while the other part was proclaimed a nature park. The international value of Kopački rit was confirmed in 1989. by its inclusion in the ornithologically significant areas and in 1993. got the status of an internationally significant swamp area.

In the heart of the Park is the interesting castle Tikveš, where rooms can be rented.


The Tourist Board of the Osijek – Baranja County
www.tzosbarzup.hr

The Tourist Board of Bilje
www.tzo-bilje.hr

Nature Park Kopački rit
www.kopacki-rit.com