SVODAS is a non-governmental organization concerning research and conservation of birds of prey and owls and their habitats in the Slovak republic.
SVODAS has a long history. A significant Slovak zoologist, Mgr. Štefan Danko, who lead the common Czech and Slovak group until 1996, founded it in 1974. After the separation of Czechoslovakia in 1993, SVODAS divided to form 2 national (Czech and Slovak) groups. Since October 1998 SVODAS is an individual NGO – civil society. At present SVODAS has more than 100 active members from entire Slovak republic.
SVODAS especially concentrates on monitoring of the breeding occurrence of the most endangered species, identification of the factors that are a threat to these species, protection of nesting sites, rescue management of selected species and stabilization of populations of critically endangered species.
Special attention is given to the problem of electrocution of birds on electric poles of 22 kV power lines.
Members of SVODAS actively participate in EABC (Eurogroup Against Bird Crime) activities and work in the advisory committee of the Ministry of the Environment that is responsible for CITES and EU legislation implementation.
In cooperation with the National Museum in Prague and the European ringing center in France, SVODAS conducts a ringing program.
Since 1986 SVODAS has been publishing its journal BUTEO, which has even after the separation of Czechoslovakia remained a common journal of the Czech and Slovak group. BUTEO is the only journal in Central Europe, which concerns research and conservation of birds of prey and owls exclusively. Our mission

q Research and conservation of birds of prey and owls and their habitats in Slovakia
q To organize people specializing in research and conservation of birds of prey and owls in Slovakia
q To educate its members about raptors and their environment in theoretical and practical way
q To promote conservation of raptors in public
q To provide consulting and organize activities concerning research and conservation of birds of prey and owls