We could locate the beginning of regular meetings on Proteus anguinus ecology, monitoring, and conservation in January 2015, when the the Tular Cave Laboratory organized the press conference at the Kranj Town Library to present the outcomes of the research project “A survey of the distribution of Proteus anguinus by environmental DNA sampling”. It was the enthusiasm and perhaps the classy environment of the beautiful Kranj library, and undoubtedly the quality of the work done by a fantastic team, that later led to the organisation of the “SOS Proteus” meetings.
The previous meeting in 2018 was held in Škocjan Cave Park in Slovenia, where the river Reka sinks into the depths of the karst abysses, in an extraordinary landscape and UNESCO heritage. In symbolic terms, Trieste is a beautiful continuation of this event, if we also take into account the karst groundwater flow from the Skocjanske jame. The city has always been known for its scientific vocation and is considered "one of the cradles of karst research". Today, seven years after the first edition of “SOS Proteus” and two years after the cancellation of the event due to pandemics, we are pleased to finally invite you to the 4th "SOS Proteus" international meeting!
