Mali Šibenik - great wonders of the underground

„Mali Šibenik - veliko bogatstvo podzemlja “(Mali Šibenik- great wonders of the underground) was a project that has been conducted during two expeditions in 2018. It was organised by the Breganja Association in conjunction with the SAK Ekstrem-Speleological Club from Makarska and the city of Vrgorac. The project was carried out in the hills above Vrgorac. During the expeditions, 21 new caves were discovered, thirteen of which have been speleologically investigated and eleven caves were surveyed. A great number of caves have shown a high biodiversity of subterranean fauna and pointed out a need for further exploration of this area. Although the deepest explored cave in this project is Bokšića Golubinka (-50.6 m), the more interesting fauna has been found in shallower caves. For diplopods and spiders, the most significant caves are Jama Malog Ulaza, Golubinka u Gaju, Antipatična, Rođendanska Jama, Ošlja Jama i Ančića Velika Golubinka in which potentially new species have been found. Results of this project were presented via a poster exhibition, the “Mali Šibenik- veliko bogatstvo podzemlja “at Croatian anannual Speleogathering in Ogulin (2018). Also, some educational presentations for high school students and interested public were held in the city of Vrgorac. The main goal of these presentations was to raise environmental awareness among general public, especially the local youth.