The lack of knowledge on such transfrontier migrations could place in question the reliability of statistical data on the population numbers of important animal species permanently inhabiting the territory of Albania, in particular bird and large carnivore species. The common practice is to carry out research each year only in a few selected, small areas (e.g. protected areas), and similar research is conducted in remaining areas in other years. The 2002 Law on Protected Areas was amended in 2008 by inclusion of the main provisions of the Habitats Directive. The 2008 Law on the Protection of Wild Fauna endorsed provisions of the Birds Directive related to protection measures.