Generali Investments is the sponsor of two olms — also known as “human fish” — from the Postojna Cave

Venture into the secret universe of water and come face to face with the olm (Proteus anguinus), a precious hidden gem found in Slovenian caves, and contribute to the long-term preservation of nature and raising public awareness. Through his actions, man unconsciously affects life below the surface of the earth. But conversely, human life also depends on clean groundwater as it is the main source of drinking water.

 

 

At Generali Investments, we understand the importance of protecting nature. That is why we decided to actively support the Protect Proteus project under the auspices of the Postojna Cave and become a sponsor of two olms. By doing so, we aim to raise public awareness of environmental issues and contribute to preserving the habitat of this unique creature and, ultimately, the human environment.

Water is the source of life — both for humans and the olm. However, pollution and irresponsible actions towards nature endanger the existence of both the environment and humanity. Industrial waste, chemicals, garbage disposal and even improper farming can harm water resources and thus the olm’s habitat. If we don’t keep our environment clean, the olm populations will begin to decline, which would be a major blow to Slovenia’s natural heritage.

The olm, an adorable resident of Slovenian karst caves, has sparked the human imagination for centuries. In not so distant times, there was a general belief that caves were home to dragons as these small creatures would appear above ground when the underground waters rose. Many people thus referred to them as “baby dragons”. The olm is a unique amphibian living in the dark and cold underground waters of the Slovenian Karst. Its body is pale pink and its eyes are underdeveloped, while its senses are very well honed. It orients itself by smell, taste and a special sense of water vibrations. This unusual animal can live for more than 100 years. Not only is the olm a marvel of nature, it also acts as an environmental indicator. Since it lives exclusively in crystal clear groundwater, its survival directly reflects the state of the environment. If we want to preserve these exceptional animals, we need to make sure that rivers, streams and groundwater remain clean.

That’s why Generali Investments has launched a fun initiative that can be found at this address. All young naturalists and big animal lovers are invited to head to this simple website and explore the mysterious world of waters, peek beneath the earth’s surface into the olm’s habitat, learn some facts about environmental issues, expand their knowledge and contribute by suggesting names for the two olms sponsored by Generali Investments.

You, too, can help choose names for the two olms and become part of this exceptional story. Can you come up with a creative suggestion for a name? Your idea might just be the winning one!

Suggestions will be accepted until 13 October 2024, after which the two olms will receive their designated names. The winners will be rewarded with attractive prizes and the possibility to delve deeper into the olm’s realm.

This initiative helps educate the public about the importance of preserving drinking water and a clean environment. In the same way that sustainability is a priority in environmental contexts, the focus on long-term sustainability is imperative in capital market investments. We are confident that this contribution will help increase the understanding about the importance of preserving the environment, leading to sustainable development and the attainment of goals that are perfectly aligned with the values and long-term strategy of the Generali Group, which encompasses the first Slovenian asset manager Generali Investments.

Let’s take care of nature and our future

The olm reminds us how precious a clean environment is. Protecting nature and managing our resources responsibly is a task that we must take seriously.

Join us on this important mission — take part in the competition and help the olms find heir new names!