Conservation of large carnivores in Europe : wolf in France

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Crossing the border from Italy, the wolf (Canis lupus) re-appeared in France in 1992 in the Mercantour national park (Alpes Maritimes) and by 1996 its population was estimated at between 12 and 17, divided into two main packs. This carnivore is linked to the presence of forests and wild ungulates. The territory used by a pack in the Mercantour is about 250 sq.km, but this figure varies in proportion to the availability of preys and the predation of domestic ungulates, i.e. livestock, increases as wild ungulates become scarcer.

Peaceful co-existence between man and wolf is particularly difficult with sheep farming, as the damages inflicted to the flocks by the wolves provoke local backlash against any return of the animal into the district. Yet the wolf, an expanding species with a high demographic potential, is capable of colonising the entire Alpine range, and even other regions.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE project sought, in the long run, to ensure lasting return of the wolf to the French territory and to favour its social acceptance. First of all, the project actions aimed at improving the knowledge of the species, by studying and tracking individual animals. Mapping habitat and the potential distribution of the species by means of a geographic information system (GIS) covering the French Alps was foreseen in order to permit future expansion of the wolf populations and management of human activities (stockbreeding, hunting...) to be planned in these areas potentially favourable to the wolf.

Actions to support stockbreeding in the zones where wolves occur were also foreseen: flock surveillance would be backed up by recruiting additional herdsmen, by procuring guard dogs and by erecting enclosures for the livestock. Actions also included financial compensation of damages caused by the wolves, reinforcement of the wild ungulates population in areas where there is a shortage of preys and information and awareness work targeting the local inhabitants throughout the district

RESULTS

Despite some difficulties at the beginning of the project, due to the hostility of the stockbreeders and shepherds, the project has eventually been successful. Knowledge of the species has been considerably improved, concrete protective actions have been taken and the French population of wolves continues to expand. The following have been achieved:

Monitoring of the population:

The project has succeded in creating a network of people, “le réseau loup”, to collect and centralise data on the individuals present in the whole French Alps. In 1998, 350 persons were involved in this network, co-ordinated by a scientist in charge of training and of the management of the collection and exchange of information. Genetic analyses of hairs and excrements have been performed to validate or invalidate the presence of wolf and to identify their origin. Behavioural data have also been collected and a study on one pack’s food foraging, realised before the completion of the project : it showed that 75 to 85% of their diet is composed of wild ungulates.

The monitoring actions also showed that in 1999, 4 packs of wolves were present in the Mercantour National Park where they first arrived from Italy. The wolf was also regularly present in at least 4 other sectors: Queyras (05) with 2 to 4 individuals, Monges (04) with at least 2 wolves, Vercors and Belledonne with at least 1 wolf each. In 1999, the Italian-French population was estimated to be around 50 wolves, among them, 30 of which lived in France.

Some dead individuals have also been examined between 1993 and 1999. It revealed 4 deaths by poisoning, 2 by direct destruction, one collision with a vehicle and one death in an avalanche. Poisoning reappeared in France in 1998.

Mapping of the potential habitats of the wolf:

Based on a methodology developed by an Italian scientist on GIS, the collection of numerous data and a study on the characteristics of the species habitat, the project has produced maps defining sectors potentially favourable to the wolf. A map of the Mercantour National Park has been produced, revealing at least one area particularly favourable for the settlement of a new pack.

Reinforcement of the population of wild ungulates:

The study on ungulates (stag, deer, wild boar, ibex, chamois and mouflon) in the Alpes-maritimes and the Alpes de Haute-Provence has shown that the French Alps are fairly rich in wild ungulates. Reinforcement would have had a low cost-efficiency and consequently, was not undertaken during the Life-project.

Compensation of damages caused by the wolves:

Damages reports have been carried out by members of the network, previously trained by a vet. The procedure is well defined and relatively quick to execute but the number of wolves had raised during the project and their distribution expanded. Thanks to the measures taken by the project, the number of attacks remains more or less steady between 1995 and the end of the project in 1999.

Protection measures:

Standard measures of protection have been taken:

A technician has studied the vulnerability of the pasture areas, and assisted the stockbreeders in the implementation of protection measures. He had daily contacts with the shepherds.

LIFE has funded the employment of additional herdsmen for 35 stockbreeders in order to strengthen the surveillance of flocks.

69 mobile enclosures for livestock and 5 permanent ones have been installed.

The Life-project has paid for the acquisition of 66 guard dogs and their first vaccinations. To ensure the success of the implementation of the dogs, a sanitary and behavioural monitoring has been undertaken and several boards have been installed to warn the hikers. Studies have showed that interactions between dogs and hikers were rare.

The implementation of such protection measures has led to a significant decrease in damages even if those have not been totally eliminated and, and consequently to a reduction of damage compensation costs.

Public awareness and communication of results:

Several seminars and meetings have been organised. Italian, Austrian and Swiss scientist have been consulted. The project has also contacted other actors working on the large carnivores LIFE-project. A newsletter “info-loup” has also been published.

The demonstrative effect of the project has been particularly important. The wolf had been extinct in the French Alps for tens of years. The stockbreeding techniques did not take into account large carnivores any more. The project has shown that damages could be limited and discussions with stockbreeders have allowed to understand better the indirect impacts (stress, abortion…). This project was followed by a second phase that aimed at consolidating and carrying on actions of this first phase. A national strategy was also foreseen in the second phase.