Meeting with the Government of the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar on Establishment of an Education and Information Centre for Large Carnivores in Gorski Kotar

18 July 2006

The Wolf Management Plan as the basic document governing the long-term conservation of wolves in Croatia also lays down guidelines on the development of ecologically acceptable tourism based on the promotion of large carnivores. In this regard it is planned to establish an education and information centre for all three large carnivores in their respective areas of distribution. The centre will be located in Gorski Kotar, an area of outstanding biodiversity covered wholly by the preliminary Croatian National Ecological Network and representing the top quality habitat of large carnivores in Croatia.

Having recognized the values and characteristics of the LIFE project, the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar cooperated successfully on its implementation and participated financially in the purchase of electric fences and livestock guardian dogs donated to livestock breeders in the county area. The cooperation continued and, given special interest shown by the Mrkopalj municipality, meetings have been systematically held with the representatives of the municipality and the county since March 2006, making arrangements for cooperation on the project "Establishment of an Education and Information Centre for Large Carnivores".

At the last meeting held in the premises of the County in the presence of the County Governor Mr. Zlatko Komadina and the County Vice-governor Luka Denona on 18 July 2006, a project proposal prepared by the Institute was presented and obligations and activities of participants in the project (the Institute, the County and the Municipality) were agreed. It was agreed to build the centre on the site of the former school in Sunger. The County undertook the resolving of proprietary issues and the Municipality the resolving of the relevant infrastructure. The centre would be built as a typical mountain house based on energy efficiency principles and in an environmentally friendly manner. It would accomodate a permanent exhibition of the three large carnivores (the wolf, the lynx and the bear) inhabiting the Gorski Kotar area, a lecture-hall, a souvenir-shop and offices for the employees of the centre and the Institute. The centre would be used for public presentations, education, visits and research. In collaboration with the County and the Tourist Board visitors' tours would be designed and instructive paths arranged. The local population would become involved in the presentation and selling of autochthonous foodstuffs and manufacturing souvenirs bearing symbols of large carnivores. If everything goes according to the plan, the building would be opened in August 2007.