How Europe’s Protected Areas ensure coexistence with large carnivores

The return of large carnivores in Europe is a big win for conservation. However, it also brings challenges. EUROPARC and its members are actively implementing solutions to reduce conflicts in local communities and ensure coexistence with large carnivores.

Protected Areas as mediators in coexistence with Europe’s large carnivores

With increased conservation and decreased hunting, the large carnivore populations in Europe are expanding their ranges. Communities who have lived many generations without them, have to relearn to share space and coexist. Recognizing the challenges and opportunities of coexistence with large carnivores, from practical conservation measures to stakeholder engagement and education, Protected Areas are at the forefront of fostering coexistence.

To further support these efforts, the EUROPARC Federation is active in the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores. Here, we contribute to knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts across Europe, supporting policies and practices that benefit both biodiversity and local livelihoods.

To highlight how Protected Areas are making coexistence possible, this article features two inspiring case studies from our members who are working to minimize conflict between people and large carnivores. Want to be part of the solution? Check out the webinar at the bottom of this page! It includes a role-playing game developed by the EU Platform, designed to deepen understanding between the different stakeholders impacted by the return of large carnivores.

Case Study 1: Preventing Eurasian lynx extinction in Julian Alps

Triglav National Park Management has actively collaborated in the LIFE Lynx project led by Slovenia Forest Service which has had a primary objective to rescue the Dinaric Mountains and Southeastern (SE) Alps lynx population from extinction and to preserve it in the long term. Read a summary of the project in their case study.

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Case Study 2: “Handlungsleitfaden Managementplan Wolf”
(Wolf Management Plan – Handbook)

The Black Forest Biosphere Reserve has a significant role in acting as an intermediary to the regional farmers and are involved in various projects. In the case study they share points from the Wolf Management Plan Handbook to describe measures to protect the wolves, the local population and the people who work on the land.

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Case Study 3: Coexistence with the grey wolf in Czechia

It has been 15 years since the Eurasian wolf began returning to the Czech Republic after 200 years of local extinction. The Czech Nature Conservation Agency was involved in increasing communication to foster understanding and appropriate management measures implemented by local communities around their 24 Protected Landscape Areas. Learn from their experience in their case study.

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Webinar: Tools for young people

Many young people are committed to helping build a future that is biodiverse, climate friendly and sustainable for people and the ecosystems we live in. As nature conservation organisations, we can provide young people with tools and support them in their efforts to grow, learn and shape their futures. The webinar below showcases young people’s efforts in awareness raising and advocacy of large carnivores as well as a demonstration of the EU Platform for Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores new Role-Playing Game for teenagers and young adults.

Download the role-playing game

By sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, we can learn from one another and strengthen our collective commitment to living in harmony with nature—recognizing that people, wildlife, and landscapes are all part of a connected, thriving ecosystem. Discover more case studies on this topic in the EUROPARC Knowledge Hub!