Large Carnivores in transboundary protected areas

Large carnivores are some of the most challenging species to maintain or reintegrate back into the natural areas of Europe. Bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), European lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolverines (Gulo gulo) are the main representatives of this group in our continent and, along the years, their populations have fluctuated up and down for several reasons.

During centuries, European large carnivores suffered dramatic declines in numbers and distribution as a consequence of human activity, habitat loss and the decrease of their preys. The predatory nature of these species has pushed them to trespass the boundaries established by humans in the search for food, which resulted in conflict and in the establishment of control measures that threatened their existence. Furthermore, the efforts carried out to manage large carnivores has been continuously challenged by political, socioeconomic and society changes and, as a result, scattered individuals and small populations survived in remote areas where human presence could be avoided.

Nowadays, with the improvements in the quality of their habitat, the abandonment of farmlands, the expansion of forest areas, the return of their prey species, and the existence of favorable legislation and public support, the current situation for large carnivores is quite different from decades ago. Large carnivore’s populations are currently stable in Europe, or growing, and count with large and robust groups of individuals that often expand across new areas. Although some small populations remain critically endangered and a few of them are declining, the presence of large carnivores in the human scene is increasingly more common so, once again, we need to learn to coexist.

To start with, the collection of reliable scientific data, the provision of relevant population estimates, and a common understanding of large carnivore’s conservation status at national and population level is the basis to take sound management decisions. However, large carnivore’s home range is extensive, and as such, they require large areas to live. These areas often cross intra and international borders and occupy territories with different management policies. Hence, the management of these species must be planned on very wide spatial scales to be effective, and it is imperative that a good coordination exists between the different administrations involved. In this toolkit, you will find information and real examples that illustrate the cooperation efforts carried out by different administrations in Europe to effectively manage large carnivores in transboundary protected areas.

EUROPARC is a Member of the EU Platform on Coexistence of Large Carnivores and People. Together we seek to find ways to mitigate conflicts between people and large carnivores and promote successful measures of coexisting. More information on the EU Platform can be found on the website.

Overview

EU efforts on Large Carnivores and Platform for Co-existence between People and Large Carnivores

The European Commission has initiated a range of measures to encourage cooperation between member states, engaging in dialogue with stakeholders and promoting best practices in management methods in regards to large carnivores.

The following videos and documents for download provide an introduction to the EU’s efforts on the conservation of large carnivores. They also speak about the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores, a grouping of organisations representing different interests groups which have agreed a joint mission: “To promote ways and means to minimize, and wherever possible find solutions to, conflicts between human interests and the presence of large carnivore species, by exchanging knowledge and by working together in an open-ended, constructive and mutually respectful way”.

Videos

Karmenu Vella: The EU’s Strategy on Large Carnivores and Biodiversity

Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fishery gives an introduction to the EU strategy on large carnivores and biodiversity.

Dr. András Demeter: EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores

Comprehensive presentation of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores by András Demeter, advisor to the Directorate for Natural Capital, Directorate-General for the environment.

EU protection works for wolf, bear and lynx

In the Habitats Directive within the EU it is established that big predators such as the bear, wolf and lynx are protected and, when they show up, should be welcome in the Netherlands, says Arie Trouwborst, Associate Professor of Environmental Law at Tilburg Law School. In Europe we can compare EU members with non EU members; in Switzerland and Norway the population of wolves is very small, in contrast with the growth in EU member states.

Wild brown bears, wolf and wolverine in Finland

An inspirational short film by Oliver Hargreaves dedicated to the large predators of northern Finland. The video particularly focuses on the European Brown Bear, Grey Wolf and Wolverine.

Downloads

European Commission: Status, management and distribution of large carnivores – bear, lynx, wolf & wolverine – in Europe, part 1. Summary report.
In 2012 the conservation status of European large carnivores was assessed by a group of experts from each country where large carnivores are present. This report encompasses the best available independent assessment of large carnivore status for the period 2010-2012. Part 1 is the summary report.
European Commission: Status, management and distribution of large carnivores – bear, lynx, wolf & wolverine – in Europe, part 2. Country by country data.
In 2012 the conservation status of European large carnivores was assessed by a group of experts from each country where large carnivores are present. This report encompasses the best available independent assessment of large carnivore status for the period 2010-2012. Part 2 is the country by country data.
Infosheet on EU Platform on Coexistence between People & Large Carnivores
This brochure provides a short introduction to the EU Platform on Coexistence between People & Large Carnivores, where EUROPARC is represented.
Large carnivores know no boundaries. The European populations of large carnivores at a glance.
Infosheet on large carnivores in Europe published by the Large Carnivores Initiative for Europe.
European Commission: Key actions for Large Carnivore populations in Europe. January 2015.
Identification of key management actions for improving the implementation of EU policy on large carnivore conservation under the Habitats Directive.
LIFE and human coexistence with large carnivores
A publication illustrating the valuable role of the LIFE programme in demonstrating ways of managing conflicts in the area of coexistence. Involving stakeholders such as stockbreeders and the hunting community has been important in reconciling conservation and socio-economic goals.

Brown bear

Case Studies

Promoting transboundary co-existence of large carnivores and humans

A project using a participatory decision-making process to develop a transboundary bear management plan for two protected areas (PAs), including a nature park in Italy (Prealpi Giulie) and an adjacent national park in Slovenia (Triglav).

Project LIFE DINALP BEAR - Population level management and conservation of brown bears in northern Dinaric Mountains and the Alps

The project LIFE DINALP BEAR strives to pave the way for transition from local-scale to population-level conservation, management and monitoring of brown bears across four countries using science-based solutions.