Conservation and management of wolves in Croatia

Damage reduction

The reduction of damage caused to cattle is one of the essential activities to be carried out in the context of this project.
For this purpose it is planned to donate 60 pen-guardians and 20 electric fences, and cattle-breeders who will receive the donation will previously be adequately educated.

Moreover, regional co-ordinators will maintain a continuous contact with them in order to provide an as efficient use of this help as possible and all additional information required.

project

What is the project "Conservation and Management of Wolves in Croatia"?

Why the project for wolf conservation and management?

Project activities

Expected project results

By whom is the project executed and funded?

Whom to refer to for additional information, advice or help?


What is the project "Conservation and Management of Wolves in Croatia"?

	This is a three-year programme of various activities with the aim to establish a mechanism for a long-term conservation of wolves and provide conditions for their as harmonious life with humans as possible. back to the top


Why the project for wolf conservation and management?

		The wolf is the most peculiar carnivore of Europe and as a leading predator he is an important segment of biological diversity. Due to his way of life, especially his dietary basis, the wolf has always been the man's direct competitor. A further contribution to the negative attitude towards wolves comes from prejudices arising from the ignorance of this species' biology. For that reason the wolf is presently exterminated in the greatest part of Europe and the presence of his threatened species testifies to the value and level of conservation of biological diversity of the respective country.


	Croatia is inhabited by a part of the westernmost stable wolf population in Europe, which is all the more reason to highlight conservation and management of wolves as one of the priority action plans under the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Protection of Biological and Landscape Diversity (NSAP) as a basic nature protection document. The conservation of wolves as a natural value despite all the above factors that show the complexity of this problem area is undoubtedly one of the major challenges of nature conservation. The project "Conservation and Management of Wolves in Croatia" is expected to make a considerable contribution to resolution of this issue. back to the top


Project activities

	Institutional strengthening

		So far two regional offices have been established: one in Gospić for the region of Lika and Gorski Kotar and another in Šibenik for the Dalmatian region, both managed by regional co-ordinators. By establishing regional offices the local communities will be brought closer to those who make decisions on conservation of wolves and provided the opportunity to take an active part in dealing with this problem area.


	Since a donation of a certain number of pen-guardians and electric fences has been provided for by the project as a measure for the protection of cattle against wolves, these offices will be used for contacts with all those who are interested in such assistance. So as to improve the current system of compensation and provide a timely assessment of damage, the number of assessors will be increased and workshops organized for the purpose of their training and professional improvement.


	Monitoring of wolf population and management activities

	The establishment of a mechanism for a systematic monitoring of the wolf population is indispensably necessary for planning future conservation of this species. In addition to telemetric research carried out in the region of Lika and Gorski Kotar and the analysis of the wolf mortality rate, it is envisaged to collect data on all factors affecting the wolf population in our area, such as the number of the game population and cattle and habitat features (vegetation coverage, etc.). Besides, data on damages will continue to be collected and processed and the results of measures for the protection of cattle against wolf attacks monitored.


	Education and information

	Special attention will be paid to education and information of the entire local population and the general public. Beside issuing educational publications and annual bulletins about activities of wolf conservation in Croatia, it is planned to prepare adequate web sites and a documentary on wolves and to give lectures in schools located in the wolf spread area on a regular basis.


	Strengthening participation of interest groups in decision-making

			For the purpose of strengthening the participation of interest groups in the decision-making process continuous contacts are maintained with the representatives of cattle-breeders, hunters, non-governmental organizations, local government and self-government units, etc. At common workshops representatives of various interest groups discuss and agree upon the methods of solving the problems relating to conservation of wolves.


	The result of these workshops should be the adoption of The Plan for Wolf Management in Croatia as a document that will determine the methods of conserving the wolf in Croatia. It should be particularly noted that representatives from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also involved in preparation of the plan, because wolves in Croatia are a segment of a wider population that inhabits the area of Dinarides and therefore their conservation requires planning in the international context. At the start and upon completion of the project a public opinion poll will be conducted concerning the wolf and the level of knowledge of this problem area. This poll will cover the inhabitants of the wolf-spread area and Zagreb as the major urban centre of Croatia. back to the top


Expected project results

	More confidence and a better co-operation among all interest groups A wolf management plan prepared in co-operation of all interest groups and approved by the general public Reduction of damage caused to cattle Raised public awareness of wolves Better knowledge of wolves Participation of the local community in decision-making back to the top


By whom is the project executed and funded?

	The project implementing authority is the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb as a partner. The project is executed with the financial assistance of the European Commission programme LIFE - Third Countries.



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Whom to refer to for additional information, advice or help?

Regional Office for Gorski kotar and Lika
Frane Biničkog 4
53000 Gospić
Phone/Fax No: 053/560-524
e-mail: uredgospic@life-vuk.hr

Regional Office for Dalmatia

S. Radića 28
22000 Šibenik
Phone No: 022/335-563
e-mail: uredsibenik@life-vuk.hr

State Institute for Nature Protection
Savska cesta 41/23, p.p. 50
10144 Zagreb
Phone/Fax No: 01/4866 187
e-mail: uredzagreb@life-vuk.hr
web: www.life-vuk.hr

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