Layman´s Report

LIFE02 TCY/CRO/014Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

LIFE III projectConservation and Management of Wolves in Croatia

Croatia is one of the rare European countries that still represent distribution area for three large carnivore species: wolf, bear and lynx. Conservation of wolves has always been the most complex nature conservation issue involving ecological, economical, institutional, cultural and even political factors. Key of wolf conservation is to decrease conflicts between humans and wolf. These conflicts derive from competition for the same food and economical basis (livestock, game) and negative perception of wolf as bloodthirsty animal, which derives from middle-aged European tradition. Croatia was faced with all of these problems in the past. The result was that population of 1.000 wolves recorded at the end

thof 19 century, decreased to only 50 in the beginning of 90-ies of the last century. This led to strict protection of wolves. This decision was made by competent authority without consultations with interest groups and local community that was affected by this decision. Immediately a problem of damages on livestock arose, even when the implementation of damage compensation system started.It was followed by negatively intonated coverage by media and corresponding general public opinion. The resistance came also from hunters.

As a result, illegal killing occurred without any record. In this situation it was necessary to put lots of efforts to mitigate these problems and ensure wolf conservation in Croatia. Although some activities started in the end of 90-ies, the support from the European Commission LIFE fund was shown to be a real engine for improved and efficient wolf conservation and management in Croatia. It must be stressed that conservation of wolves and nature in general must be foremost the obligation towards ourselves and future generation. At the same time it is the obligation of Croatia according to national Nature Protection Law and National Strategy and Action Plans for the Protection of Biological and Landscape Diversity as well as international nature conservation agreements like Bern Convention. Furthermore, as the EU accession country, Croatia must ensure wolf conservation according to the EU Habitat Directive.The project Conservation and Management of Wolves in Croatia was implemented in the period from December 2002 until December 2005. The first beneficiary was the former Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University in Zagreb as a partner. In January 2004, after transfer of the competence for nature protection to the Ministry of Culture, the State Institute for Nature Protection was appointed as a new beneficiary.The main objectives of the project were to strengthen capacity for wolf conservation and management at national and local level and to establish mechanism for long-term conservation of wolves in Croatia in harmonious co-existence with humans. The project was implemented through five main activities:

1. Capacity building2. Monitoring of wolf population and management activities3. Mitigation of damages4. Education and information5. Strengthening of interest groups involvement

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

The project was presented to representatives of all interest groups; including competent ministries, public institutions for protected areas management, scientific institutions, hunters, livestock breeders, “green” NGOs as well as international experts; on the meeting organised in Risnjak National Park in March 2003. On this occasion all the activities were discussed and a time-schedule for preparation of the Wolf Management Plan was changed, since all participants wanted for this document to be prepared at earlier stage.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Capacity building

The project unit was established at the former Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning in Zagreb, continuing its work in the State Institute for Nature Protection (SINP). Two regional offices were established in the project area; regional office for Gorski kotar and Lika in Gospia and regional office for Dalmatia in Šibenik. Educated and unemployed young people were hired as technical assistants in the project unit and two people from the project area were hired as regional coordinators.

Establishment of project unit was the first step in building the capacity of the competent authorities for coordination of wolf conservation and management. The aim of regional offices was to improve communications between national authorities and local community and enable it to actively participate in solving the wolf conservation issues. In order to improve implementation of damage compensation system, additional number of damage assessment experts was hired. Namely, damage assessment experts are appointed by the Ministry competent for nature protection to assess damages on livestock and to determine whether the damage was done by protected large predator.

Only based on this verification the livestock breeders can claim the compensation, which is paid by the State. By hiring new damage assessment experts the whole territory of wolf distribution was covered so all livestock breeders had possibility to report damages to the experts and, if verified, get the compensation.

Three seminars were held in order to improve the work of damage assessment experts and educate new candidates. Each seminar consisted of two parts: theoretical and practical.

Theoretical part included presentation of the existing legislation and discussion on the damage assessment form, as basis for compensation claims, and new Rule book for damage assessment procedures. Dissections of animals killed by unidentified predator were done within the practical part. The seminars were also the occasions for damage assessment experts to communicate and exchange their experience.

Monitoring of wolf population and management activities

Knowledge about wolves and monitoring of its population status are important component for planning of wolf conservation and management. At the same time these information represent valuable source of knowledge for general public to help them with understanding the value of this species as important part of biological diversity. This activity included monitoring of wolf population as well as other elements that influenced its existence ranging from wolf prey, habitat characteristics and presence of humans.

Wolves were monitored using telemetric research. The method includes capturing of live wolves, put them into a sleep, measuring and collaring them with installed transmitters that emit radio signals for two or three years. With the help of a guided antenna it is possible to get a signal. In the scope of the LIFE project, new technology was used, namely the GPS collars. Unlike classical radio collars, satellite tracking enables approximately 1.000 times more data. During the project seven wolves were captured and collared with GPS collars.

Altogether 5 wolves were collared in Gorski kotar -female wolves Mila, Tanja, Sara and Kyra and a male puppy Felix, one in Lika - female wolf Jelica and one in Dalmatia - female wolf Eva. In addition, a female wolf Hilda was tracked. She was captured before the project started and is monitored for 3 years, thus being the longest tracked wolf in Croatia. Gorski kotar is the best explored wolf region with two monitored packs: Risnjak and Snježnik pack. Three wolves from Snježnik pack are monitored simultaneously.

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

A pilot study that is aimed to estimate the number of individual wolves based on DNA analyses started and the results confirmed those acquired by telemetric research. Particularly interesting was a case of female wolf Eva. Namely, in Dalmatian hinterland a wolf was entangled in wild boar trap, prohibited by law. She was saved by local livestock breeder who reported the case to the project team. This was the first time that anyone reported such a case. A surgery was performed on Eva and she was released into nature where she managed to heal. Eva spent most of her time in Bosnia and Herzegovina where she was shot. This only proves the fact that Croatia shares wolf population with neighbouring countries. However, the protection regime differs in these countries. For instance, wolf is not protected species in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Shortly after Eva another case of injured wolf was reported, this time in Lika region. The male wolf Mane was shot in the leg and transported on Veterinary Faculty. Unfortunately he could not be saved, but like in Eva's case, the fact that local people reported the case gave hope for better future for wolves in Croatia.Mortality of wolves was monitored as well. In order to develop a network for reporting the killings, a corresponding Protocol for collection of protected animal carcasses was prepared and sent to all relevant institutions and partners. Damage assessment experts were obliged to be first persons in the information chain. Thanks to such an organisation, more and more reports where received which improved insight in real situation of wolf mortality. Altogether 39 wolfs were killed in the period from 30 November 2002 to 1 December 2005. The most frequent cause of registered mortality was traffic at which young wolves have been killed the most.

In order to monitor wolf's diet basis, a questionnaires for estimation the status of wildlife prey were prepared and sent to the hunting ground owners. A database was created to fill these data. Although data are not reliable since based on subjective assessment they give ideas about trends and impact of wolf. A new database of damages was created and filled with data from damage experts' reports. In this way large amount of data on damages on livestock and circumstance of these damages are acquired so to understand the impact of wolf on livestock as a prey. Data on registered livestock were collected and processed in this regard as well. Finally, a data about habitat features were collected and along with other data processed using GIS technology or in other words processed spatially. Accordingly a GIS model was developed so to identify the location and likelihood of the wolf occurrence in the near future. This will be used as powerful wolf management tool.Based on all these data a Report on the Wolf Population Status in Croatia for 2005 was prepared.

Mitigation of damages

In order to decrease animosity between livestock breeders and wolf, a lot of effort was put into this activity. Damage assessment experts continued their work and livestock guarding dogs and electrical fences donation programme was launched and intensified. Donation programme of Croatian breed of livestock guarding dogs already started at the end of last century but was never done systematically. In the scope of the LIFE project potential donated livestock breeders were selected based on determined criteria; residence in the areas with damages, possession of herds that number at least 50 head regularly grazing in nature and not being let without supervision, no usage of poisonous substances on pasture-land in form that would be dangerous for dogs. The 2 months old puppies were given to selected breeders. On this occasion they had to sign a contract and obliged themselves to raise dogs as a future livestock guards, not as pets. In this regard they were educated in special lectures and given the written instructions for raising the dogs.

Furthermore, the donated breeders were regularly visited by regional coordinators to monitor the use of dogs and assist the livestock breeders. On each visit a Protocol for monitoring the use of dogs was filled by coordinators. Altogether 79 puppies were donated from the project support, mostly in Dalmatian region. Based on good project results, Zadarska county in Dalmatia and Primorsko-goranska county (Gorski kotar) joined with donation of 10 dogs. State Institute for Nature Protection donated 9 puppies from its funds as well. Losses occurred caused by diseases, traffic accidents and poisoning (only in Dalmatian region). Electrical fences were also given to selected livestock breeders that were given a lesson on maintenance of fences and written instructions. They also had to sign a contract and thus obliged themselves to use fences for their main purpose. Regional coordinators also visited them on regularly basis and filled the efficiency Protocol. Altogether 28 electrical fence were donated from the project funds and 13 with the support of the Primorsko-goranska County. The most of the fences were donated in Lika and Gorski kotar, since the configuration of terrain in Dalmatia is not suitable for this donation.

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

The dogs donated at the beginning of the project are now more then 1 year old and are proved highly successful in the field. According to the livestock breeders they have made it considerably easier to them to take the livestock to pastures and control it. Both donated dogs and fences are shown to be efficient since no damages occurred to donated livestock breeder herds, even if some of them had a significant number of damages. On the other hand, damages occurred in the neighbourhood at the farms with no livestock guarding dogs or fences.

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

Education and information

The education and information campaigns started and carried out through the project were aimed to improve the knowledge of local communities and general public about wolf conservation issues as well to raise their awareness about wolves. Special attention was given to media, since they are traditionally prone to “yellow” reporting and contributed significantly to negative perception of wolves.

Number of publications were produced including project information leaflets; brochure on wolves including basic data on wolf biology, relationship with the man and importance of wolf conservation; two wolf posters; project bulletins with information and update on project activities; picture book on little wolf Grga; exhibition posters and leaflets for Open House Days event and promotional T- shirts with printed illustration from the picture-book. Wolf Management Plan was published as well.All these publications were intended for different groups of general public; brochure was made for primary and secondary school population, picture-book for pre-schoolers and other publications for all of them. English versions of publications were distributed on many international events related to wolf and large carnivores in general.Two documentary films were produced and distributed to schools in the project area.

Web-site was developed with detailed information on wolves, including their biology, status as well as wolf conservation, national and international legislation, green bridges, ways to participate in wolf conservation, as well as all information about the project. It raised the great interest of internet visitors from Croatia, Europe and the rest of the World. The site is regularly updated. It was chosen for site of the month according to few computer and nature magazines in Croatia. This site was used by citizens to ask questions about wolves and even to send photos of tracks in snow.Lectures were given to school children from the project area and due to great interest the ones outside this area. The lectures also included presentations of wolf biology, ecology and conservation.

Constant contacts with public media were maintained through interviews, press conferences, press releases, keeping them informed about all project activities. Numerous articles, TV and radio broadcasts on wolf show the constant interest of media for this topic. Furthermore, the wolf as a species was a topic of web-site www.fauna.hr, dedicated to endangered animal species. The project was presented on this occasion as well. This web-site received the award of the World Summit on Information Society as the best e-science project.

Another step in informing the public in wolf distribution area was the event called the Open House Days. This was an educational and informative exhibition where the visitors could learn about biology, population status and conservation programmes. Visitors could ask questions and take project publications and leaflets with information on nature and environment protection inspectors, damage assessment procedures and practical information on how to participate in wolf conservation. These events were held in Gorski kotar and Lika region.

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

Strengthening of interest groups involvement

One of the key components of the project was targeted at strengthening of public participation in decision-making. Since various “public” differ both by their socio-economic features and viewpoints with respect to wolf population management in Croatia, a combination of various methods to include general public in the decision-making process was applied.

For better understanding of the general public attitude two surveys on public attitudes on wolves were carried out; one in the beginning of the project and one at the end. In this way public support for decision taken could be verified and thus also the impact project had on general public. The surveys included inhabitants of project area as well as urban population from Zagreb, the largest urban area in Croatia. The questionnaires consisted of 80 questions covering various areas; from general attitudes, knowledge on biology and status, viewpoints about wolf management to familiarity with the LIFE project. The first survey covering the project area was done by personal contacts and the second by post. It may be generally concluded that public attitudes towards wolf are mostly positive, with the exception of Dalmatia, which suffers most of damages on livestock.A considerable rise in positive answers given in Lika was recorded. This might be attributed to field activities of the project. Representatives of all interest groups including the ones that traditionally do not communicate were involved in the management plan preparation.

Wolf management plan represent guidelines for long-term conservation of wolves in as harmonious as possible co-existence with humans, or simply a wolf conservation strategy. The process involved biologists-researchers, hunters, foresters, representatives of competent ministries and state institutions as well as NGOs. All of them prepared the Wolf management plan for Croatia by co-operation at moderated workshops where all decisions were made in mutual understanding and based on joint efforts. Altogether 5 workshops were held in the scope of the project with one presentation where all interest groups agreed on the final text of Management plan. The participation of local interest groups, especially livestock breeders that are not well organised like hunters, was ensured through so called focus groups or small meetings held by regional coordinators in the project area. On these occasions participants had opportunity to talk about their problems and viewpoints on wolf and were able to propose possible solutions. All their proposals were taken into the account while preparing Management plan.

The Plan was officially adopted by the Ministry of culture and its implementation was carried out throughout the project. The Plan was presented to broader audience, including high-positioned representatives from the competent ministries. Action plan was also prepared in a joint meeting thus the implementation started, though all activities in the scope of the LIFE project represent a part of wolf management. It is important to stress that all activities are carried out in cooperation between all interest groups, like it was practised during preparation of the Wolf management plan. The project activities were expanded. Accordingly, establishment of educational and information centre for large carnivores is in preparation. This will be the opportunity to promote ecological tourism that will be based on wolf, bear and lynx and the same time ensuring development of local community and conservation of the species.

LIFE III Project “Conservation and management of Wolves in Croatia”

Presentation of project results

Project results were presented on several international and national meetings. International Wolf Conference in Colorado Springs (USA) included as many as three presentations related to project results and Wolf management plan. This plan was also presented on the international congress in Portugal, international symposium on game and ecology in Croatia and Slovene-Croatian congress on exotic and wild animals. All presentations were welcomed and Croatia was pointed out as one of the rare examples of solving wolf conservation problems in cooperation between all interest groups.Thanks to the project results, even neighbouring countries where wolf is not protected like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro started wolf conservation activities asking expert assistance from Croatia. Final presentation of the project results took place on 24 November 2005. It was opened by Oscar Benedict, the first secretary of the EC Delegation to the Republic of Croatia and Davorin Markoviæ, the SINP director. Zoran Šikiæ, assistant minister from the Ministry of culture, joined it as well. The presentation was attended by 86 participants, including common citizens that showed their interest for wolf conservation issues.

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