Luxury resort in Albania: Albania's flamingos versus Jared Kushner's billions
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- An Australian marathon swimmer is protesting the development of a luxury resort on Albania's Sazan Island.
- The resort, backed by Jared Kushner, threatens a pristine natural delta area in the Narta lagoon.
- The area is a vital habitat for various wildlife, including pelicans, sea turtles, and flamingos.
As dawn broke on June 6, Australian marathon swimmer Eva Buzo entered the harbor of Sazan Island, Albania, with a clear purpose: to protest the impending development of a luxury resort. Buzo, who has Albanian roots, plans to swim around the approximately five-square-kilometer island and back to the mainland. Her protest targets a planned luxury resort, reportedly backed by Jared Kushner, which threatens the Narta lagoon. This lagoon, situated on the mainland opposite Sazan Island, is described as one of the last unspoiled river deltas on the Mediterranean coast. The area boasts unique natural features, including dunes, beaches, and pine forests, making it a critical habitat for a diverse range of wildlife. Among the species that rely on this fragile ecosystem are pelicans, sea turtles, and flamingos. Buzo's swim aims to draw international attention to the potential environmental impact of the resort development on this ecologically significant area.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.