LocationsInterview with Milorad Babić, gamekeeper of the Pešter Field Special Nature Reserve
Nature will give us everything if we know how to look after it
May 26, 2025
Milorad Babić at Pešter
Photo: Pavle Jovanović/UNDP Serbia
The Pešter Field is one of the largest and highest karst fields in the Balkans, created by the disappearance of the lake that once stood in this place. This unique natural treasure is home to rare plant and animal species, and its survival depends on the people who preserve it and who have been connected to it for generations. Milorad Babić is one of these people, the gamekeeper of the Pešter Field Nature Reserve, a man who has dedicated his entire life to the preservation of this area.
Milorad comes from Sjenica, from a family that has lived in this area for generations, a lifestyle in harmony with nature. As a child, he spent his days in the pastures, watching his father and grandfather herd the cattle here and learning about the plants, waters and winds that have shaped the Pešter Field. His career initially had nothing to do with nature. For years he worked in the office of the Employment Institute, but he says that this job did not bring him fulfilment.
"I didn't realise that I could even get the job of my dreams. When I first came to Pešter and saw this beauty, I knew that I wouldn't give up this job for anything in the world. People who come here often say that they feel like they are no longer on this planet—there are no trees here, just endless pastures under a sky that seems closer than ever before. The silence here is not empty, it is filled with the sounds of the wind, birds and cattle bells in the distance. It feels almost surreal, as if you have stepped into another world, far away from the noise and bustle of the city. This is a vocation, not a job. I would never go back to the office," says Milorad.
Today he is the gamekeeper of the reserve, and no two working days are the same. His job is not only to monitor the natural treasures, but also to tell stories, educate visitors and locals, look after the animals and do everything in his power to preserve this beautiful but endangered habitat, which is home to many rare species.
"The horned lark fascinates me because it nests in the most inaccessible areas, while the alpine chough is rare and easy to recognise with its distinctive appearance. Every time a black vulture comes to the feeding ground, it's a special event for me. Recently, we recorded the Pacific golden plover, a completely new species in Serbia, which only confirms that the Pešter Field is a valuable habitat that keeps revealing its secrets."
Griffon vultures circle in the sky, and at night the wolves leave their den, and sometimes, according to Milorad, they play in front of the entrance to the feeding ground.
The Pešter Field harbours many internationally and nationally endangered species, including the black tern (Chlidonias niger), the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) and the river mussel (Unio crassus). It is also an important habitat for the corncrake (Crex crex), which relies on the permanent wetlands in this area for nesting—especially during periods of drought when most neighbouring habitats dry out.
Photo: Pavle Jovanović/UNDP Serbia
"At night, I see the wolves coming with their pups on camera. They play here in front of the entrance, next to the door, so close I could almost touch them. It's an amazing sight. In moments like these, I feel the power of nature, while we are only its temporary guardians."
However, life in Pešter is not easy. Harsh winters and increasing periods of drought are hard on people and animals. Temperatures here can drop as low as -40 C, while summers are characterised by long periods of drought. Another major challenge is the lack of water. In summer, cows can be seen lying on their sides with their tongues sticking out in an attempt to cool down.
"In the past, the rivers and streams of Pešter used to swell in the spring, but today they are just trickles. Droughts are becoming more frequent and access to water is becoming increasingly difficult. That's why we often have to bring water in water tanks from Novi Pazar, and the military helps us with this. Without this help, 20,000 large and small cattle would simply die. In addition, due to the reduced grazing areas, the cattle breeders are forced to buy additional feed, which increases their expenses considerably and makes life difficult for them. In the past, our sheep and cows had enough grass and hay, but now, with climate change, we have to buy them extra feed. To preserve the Pešter we know and love, we need serious investment in wells and water catchment systems. There are solutions, but without the support of institutions, local self-government and all of us, it will be difficult to implement them," Milorad explains.
In addition to these challenges, Milorad and his team also have to deal with the human factor. Educating the local population is crucial for the preservation of the reserve.
"In the past, people didn't understand how important the natural balance is. They threw dead animals into the rivers and in order to poison a wolf, they poisoned the entire habitat. Fortunately, this is happening less and less today because we have managed to educate the locals. Any change is gradual, but it is important not to give up. The support of institutions and individuals is also crucial. Only by joining forces can we preserve this unique place," concludes Milorad.
Photo: Pavle Jovanović/UNDP Serbia
Milorad has transferred his love for Pešter to his family. With his wife and two children, he tries to live in harmony with nature.
"We observe the animals and learn from them. We respect the water, we know its value and we try not to waste a single drop. Nature will give us everything, but only if we know how to look after it."
Milorad's story is not just the story of one man, but reflects all the people who live in Pešter and fight for the preservation of this unique region.
The greatest threat to the stability of this ecosystem is the annual exploitation of around 15,000 cubic metres of peat, which is used as an organic soil additive. In addition, peat extraction takes place during the sunny days when the Pešter Field has less water. Peat is formed by the decomposition of plant residues over thousands of years in the Pešter Field. It is extremely important because it slows down the drainage of water from the porous karst foundation and naturally filters and purifies the water that reaches the underground reserves. Healthy and preserved peatlands contribute significantly to mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon, while the exploitation and degradation of peatlands actually releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. For all living things, including humans, peat is much more important and valuable when left untouched in nature. In order to maintain the balance between resource utilisation and environmental protection, the Management Plan for the Pešter Field Special Nature Reserve 2021-2030 was adopted. This plan defines development guidelines, methods of utilisation and management of this area, as well as protection and conservation measures, taking full account of the needs of the local population.
This text was produced as part of the campaign for the conservation of wetlands in Serbia This is Not Just a Pond, which is being implemented with the financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) as part of the project EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia. This initiative is implemented by UNDP with technical and financial support from the European Union in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding from the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.
