The intense heatwave affecting Western Europe has reached the Balkans, causing concern among animal welfare activists in Montenegro. In Podgorica, the capital, several unsupervised horses roam near the city without access to shelter, water, or food. With temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), activists worry about the animals’ well-being.
Marta Darmanovic, an animal protection activist, highlighted the proximity of the situation to the city, stating it is ‘just 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) from the city center.’ She emphasized that this is not a remote area.
Across Europe, the extreme heat has broken temperature records, stressed hospitals, and left people seeking ways to cool down. In France, the temperatures have surpassed those of the historic 2003 heatwave, which caused 15,000 deaths, predominantly among the elderly. Hungary set a new national heat record with temperatures reaching 42 °C (107.6 °F) on Tuesday, according to preliminary data from the National Meteorological Service.
In Podgorica, the open area where the horses have been seen is near an illegal dump and several makeshift settlements. It is unclear how the animals got there or if they belong to anyone. Darmanovic criticized the lack of facilities, stating, ‘It is incredible that a country does not have a shelter for large animals like confiscated horses or livestock.’
The Adriatic nation, with a population of 620,000, aims to join the European Union by 2028. EU candidate countries must have animal welfare regulations in place to qualify for membership.
Branko Kovacevic, head of the Podgorica Municipal Inspection Administration, stated city authorities have shelters for dogs and cats and are now working on addressing issues with larger animals under current regulations. He noted, ‘Horses and other domestic animals continue to appear abandoned.’ Kovacevic acknowledged the difficulty in ensuring the animals receive water or food, due to a lack of clear responsibility.
Although Montenegro and the Balkans generally experience summer heat more regularly than countries like the UK or France, authorities have advised people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water. Temperatures in the region are expected to drop later on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In Osijek, a city in eastern Croatia, animals at the local zoo were given ice cream made from fruit and meat. A zoo employee told HRT that the monkeys prefer staying indoors and resting. ‘They like cold watermelons, melons, and grapes,’ the employee, Zeljko Busljeta, said. ‘They also receive lemonade and iced tea.’