In the area of Nature 2000 Drava, despite the river regulations, it retains its basic characteristics, in particular that it regularly floods and possesses exceptional biodiversity. According to experts, there are still around 50 fish species in the Drava River. Rare species such as Balon's ruffe, zingel, giant catfish, and thousands of common barbels can be found in the deepest parts of the river, where the fish spend the winter and where cormorants retreat in particular.

The Drava River is the most important area for waterfowl in Slovenia, with over 20,000 waterfowl spending the winter here on a regular basis, and roughly as many staying in this area during spring and autumn migration. The Drava is home to a large number of Great Egret, Little Grebes, Cormorants, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, and Goosandes during the winter. Ornithologists single out two species that fly over the Drava River area during migration: the Black Tern and the Little Gull.