Life on the water
The region of the river Drava between Selnica ob Dravi and Središče ob Dravi is one of the most important regions for birds in Slovenia. During the last 25 years it was established that on the river there were 280 species of birds, of that there are 38 species that are threatened. Approximately 120 species of birds nest here regularly or periodically, others appear during migration time, during wintering or as a chance guest.
The birds most frequently seen on the island Mariborski otok on the river Drava are several species of the grebe, grey geese, mute swans, mallard ducks, common krestels, river gulls, pigeons, wood owls, kingfishers and large woodpeckers.
Life under the water
In the river and its tributaries live a good half of all freshwater fish in Slovenia. Quite a dew of the species are interesting for the fishing sport. The once frequent fishing trophey was the species salmon has almost vanished fom the river Drava, still rife are whiting, Chondrostoma nasus and vimba vimba, and from the predatory species the pike, Lucioperca lucioperca and catfish.