Tular · Kranj, Slovenia · Since 1960

A world without light.

Researching an extraordinary animal. Protecting the water we share.

Tular Cave Laboratory, Kranj, Slovenia. Research and conservation of proteus since 1960.

Meet the olm Inside the laboratory

Close view of an olm under observation in the laboratory — *Proteus anguinus*Photograph: Gregor Aljančič · Tular

Visit us

SOS Proteus Info Centre

Tunnels beneath the old town of Kranj

Meet rescued olms and explore their underground world with researchers from Tular. Your visit supports their research and protection.

Book a guided tour Plan your visit

Booking through Visit Kranj

Science brings us together

SOS Proteus Conference

International meetings for the future of proteus and karst groundwater.

Kranj · 7.–8. 12. 2024
Latest confirmed edition · 83 participants, 14 countries

2024 conference →All meetings and resources

Discover Tular

Proteus

The olm, also known as the “human fish”, is an extraordinary symbol of subterranean wildlife and the long history of its study.

Conservation

Seasonal floods can wash olms out of their caves. Tular provides a sanctuary and coordinates their rescue. Call +386 31 804 163 to report a stranded olm.

Black proteus

A rare, dark-coloured olm found only in Bela krajina, southeastern Slovenia. Even local pollution can threaten its survival.

eDNA monitoring

Innovative method to survey Proteus distribution through the detection of its eDNA trace; CEPF, BirdLife International, 2013–2014; 2016

Tular Cave Laboratory

Tular is a conglomerate cave in Kranj, Slovenia. In 1960 it was turned into a cave laboratory by speleobiologist Marko Aljančič.

Projects

With Proteus we share dependence on groundwater (NGO Programme, EEA Grants & Norway Grants; 2015).

A closer look

See the world of proteus

Footage of olm reproduction from the Slovenian Museum of Natural History documentary (2000).

Open on YouTube ↗

New perspectives

NautilusFeature · 28 August 2025