PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Vrancea County occupies 4 817 km2 and includes mountainous areas as well as hilly and plain habitats. More than 45% of the County provides habitat for large carnivores like Brown bear (Ursus arctos), European lynx (Lynx lynx) and Grey wolf (Canis lupus). The conservation status of these species has been threatened by hunting and trapping. Carnivore habitats have also been in decline due to factors such as over-grazing, deforestation, soil erosion and organic diffuse pollution causing eutrophication of waters. Decreasing coverage of nature protection designations posed further risks to the conservation status of Vrancea County carnivores.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s main objective aimed to conserve, manage and restore viable populations of Ursus arctos, Lynx lynx and Canis lupus in Vrancea County. A management plan would provide guidance to implement coordinated species protection measures and a new monitoring system would track the conservation programme’s success. Public support for the project would be assisted through awareness raising actions and investments in livestock protection. Proposals for an insurance-based scheme offering compensation for damages caused by large carnivores also featured within the project plans.
RESULTS
The project was considered to have been successful in assisting the conservation of viable populations of large carnivores. The management plan was produced and this now provides an informed framework of actions that are required to sustain the target species.
Demonstration areas highlighted methods for harmonising the habitat requirements of carnivores with the socio-economic needs of local land managers. These included building feeding points to steer carnivores away from livestock areas, and electric fences were installed to further deter carnivores from preying on livestock.
A strategy for connecting key habitat features was elaborated and this has strengthened the beneficiary’s capacity to implement long-term species recovery work. Other capacity building outcomes were noted from the monitoring centre which helped facilitate a series of reports that are helping stakeholders understand both the target species’ behaviour and also the cost-benefit implications from nature conservation plans.
Awareness raising work with the local community proved useful for helping achieve the project’s main objectives.
The project was considered to have been successful in assisting the conservation of viable populations of large carnivores. The management plan was produced and this now provides an informed framework of actions that are required to sustain the target species.Demonstration areas highlighted methods for harmonising the habitat requirements of carnivores with the socio-economic needs of local land managers. These included building feeding points to steer carnivores away from livestock areas, and electric fences were installed to further deter carnivores from preying on livestock.
A strategy for connecting key habitat features was elaborated and this has strengthened the beneficiary’s capacity to implement long-term species recovery work. Other capacity building outcomes were noted from the monitoring centre which helped facilitate a series of reports that are helping stakeholders understand both the target species’ behaviour and also the cost-benefit implications from nature conservation plans.
Awareness raising work with the local community proved useful for helping achieve the project’s main objectives.
