EU Platform on Coexistence between People & Large Carnivores

The Platform’s annual plenary meeting 8 June, was well attended by the platform core members, stakeholder representatives in Brussels, and Commission officials from DG ENV and AGRI. But also by a range of regional and local representatives, linked to the platform activities through regional to local platforms. We heard, for example, from the president of Harghita County, Romania on the current situation regarding bears, from the first Vice President of the Regional Natural Park of Vercors on the stakeholder collaboration within the Park to raise awareness around sharing a territory with wolves, people and livestock guarding dogs and from the Swedish Platform facilitator on plans to use the regional platform approach in a wider area, and potentially tackling broader topic areas. A presentation from the newly launched Land Care Europe also demonstrated how a similar multi-stakeholder collaborative approach can bring agricultural, landscape and nature protection actors closer together, demonstrating that they do have common interests.

 Current debates over the proposed Nature Restoration and Sustainable Use of pesticides laws suggest that conflicts around land use and biodiversity protection are not exactly decreasing. We can, however, at least be reassured, especially with the example from the Regional Platforms that when we examine the situation closer to the ground, collaboration also remains possible, despite people starting with very different viewpoints.

Jurgen Tack

Scientific Director of the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO)

Co-chair of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores

The 10th meeting of the EU Platform took place in Brussels on 8 June 2023. Platform members and other relevant stakeholders came together to present and discuss the latest relevant policy developments as well as developments in related projects. Representatives of regional platforms as well as the Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos platform gave insights into their work and future plans. The opportunities and limits of livestock depredation data collected by the platform secretariat were discussed and complimented by insights into the day-to-day experiences of livestock breeders and shepherds.  

Find the meeting agenda and the presentations held here.

The LC website was moved to the new European Commission content management system in June. The EU LC Platform website as well as the Regional Platform website provide detailed information about the respective platforms’ work. Additional information on the use of EU funding for the management of large carnivores can be found here. Layman can get a good overview on the topic on this webpage.

The Nature Restoration Law (NRL), proposes setting binding targets to stop biodiversity loss in the EU aims by establishing restoration measures on at least 20% of all EU land and sea areas by 2030. The proposal is currently being scrutinised by the European Parliament and the European Council. On 15 June, members of the European Parliament’s (EP) responsible committee, the Environment Committee voted on the NRL proposal. Due to the large number of proposed amendments, the voting process on the law itself was delayed to 27 June. On the 27 June, no majority for the law was reached, the committee will therefore recommend that the plenary reject it.  The vote in the plenary is expected to take place 11-13 July in Strasbourg.

The European Council reached an agreement supporting the proposal on 20 June.

Following last year’s European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the protection of livestock farming and large carnivores in Europe on the protection of livestock farming and large carnivores in Europe, the Commission set its policy line in the comprehensive Response sent to the European Parliament on 7 March 2023. The Commission is currently carrying out an in-depth analysis of all available scientific and technical data concerning the wolf situation in the EU. Results are expected end 2023.

Since its establishment in 2018, the local platform in the Vercors Regional Natural Park, has mobilised a large group of stakeholders and addressed conflicts arising from measures to protect livestock against wolves, in particular the use of livestock guarding dogs.  The diverse group managed to establish a common narrative together after an intensive series of meetings. This is further explained in a video, which gives hints for others wishing to establish a similar process, available on Youtube. At the same time, a press communication has been launched to attract media attention to the initiative and a press conference was held 13 June, leading to widespread reporting on the platform activities in regional media such as France 3 Alpes, France Bleu, Le Dauphiné Libéré, Radio RCF Isère, The platform has also developed other materials which can be accessed via their website. In a next step, outreach will focus on tourism actors.

The first regional workshop of 2023 was organised 19 January in Karlstad, Värmland County. The main purpose of the meeting was to bring the local, regional and national level actors (who have been engaged in the different level platforms) together with EU actors to discuss the outcomes of their collaboration and how the local, regional and national level debate can link to the EU level platform.

Since, January, WWF Sweden, has provided funding to continue with a collaborative approach, establishing, 6 longer-living regional level platforms with continued neutral, professional moderation. The newly-created Center for Natural Resource Dialogue: A forum for dialogue, synergy and collaboration, provides space for discussions, not only on coexisting with large carnivores but also other land use debates. 

The European Commission recently launched the seventh edition of the Natura 2000 Award on 22 May 2023, shortly after Natura 2000 Day. Those involved in outstanding initiatives in and around Natura 2000 sites can apply here until end of September 2023 to have their efforts on Natura 2000 sites recognised.

On 7 June, the LIFE Luchs Pfälzerwald project on the reintroduction of Eurasian lynxes in the Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve won the 2023 LIFE Award for Nature. The project established a thriving population of lynx in southwest Germany, three centuries after they disappeared from the area. The 2023 LIFE Award winners were selected from hundreds of LIFE projects across the EU supporting the European Green Deal.

In April this year, in the province of Trentino-Alto Adige in Northeast Italy, a trail runner was fatally attacked by a brown bear. The death has increased the controversial debate around the presence of bears in the region. Animal rights activists have opposed culling of the bear while other proposals discussed include a project to move bears in the area to less populated regions where less interactions with humans would be expected. The nearly extinct bear population in Trentino has increased to over 100 individuals with the support of two LIFE projects (Ursus I and II) in the last decades.

The wolf M237, originally born in the Grisos canton in Eastern Switzerland in 2021 and radio-collared, migrated several hundred kilometres east to the Slovakian-Hungarian border. His journey took place over the course of less than a year, leading him through four countries until he arrived in Hungary in March 2023. Dispersal of young wolves from their packs is common at age 1-3 years, however, M237s exceptional migration distance of 1927km highlights how adaptable wolves are. During his journey, he managed to cross different landscapes, ranging from high mountains to rivers and highways.

At the "Agriculture and Fisheries" Council on 26 and 27 June 2023, wolf status was discussed under any other business after a note was submitted by the Romanian delegation. The call to reduce the protection status of the wolf was supported by some participating countries, while others described it as unnecessary. Most delegates supported calls for further financing.

For its Special Feature “Sharing landscapes with wildlife: conflict and coexistence of extensive grazing systems with large carnivores”, the People and Nature journal is seeking article proposals. The special feature, edited by several members of the EU Platform Secretariat, members and researchers, examines the conflicts and synergies between pastoral systems and protection of wild species. Abstracts can be submitted until 15 July 2023. They will then be reviewed and if they are a good fit, invited for submission before 31 January 2024. More detailed information can be found here.

The toolkit resulted from exchange between the different platforms upon their extensive experience with regional dialogue platforms on large carnivores in different European countries and drew out lessons learned. The Toolkit supports anyone interested in establishing national and regional/local platforms on large carnivores, providing guidance based on lessons learned and good practice.

Both the toolkit and the accompanying toolbox are now available for download.

The Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Large Carnivore Initiative aims to provide a long-term basis for collaboration between the countries involved by establishing an exchange platform; a co-ordinational agreement; a means to exchange information on initiatives and projects in the region; and good practice examples on large carnivore management. During the third platform meeting in late March in Skopje, North Macedonia, participants agreed to a meeting statement, expressing their commitment to work towards a legally binding treaty on large carnivore conservation and management across the region. A monitoring working group will continue to meet after the meeting to develop a common framework. A working group on connectivity will also be established. All relevant information and documents related to the event can be found here.

Simultaneously, the platform’s new website was launched and can be accessed here.

The publication by Singer et al analysed depredation incidents measured to the individual case level over three years (2018-2020) from 21 European countries deriving insights about the primary target species, seasonal distribution as well as density of damages and the temporal trend of wolf-caused incidents. Data analysis indicated that while incidents went up with the return of the wolf, they tended to decrease in following years. The publication was featured in Biological Conservation journal in April.

The publication presents viewpoints and approaches to convivial biodiversity from different disciplines as well as case studies focusing on human-wildlife interactions, giving incentives to transform biodiversity governance.

LIFE lynx held an International Lynx conference in Slovenia at the end of March with the involvement of several platform members including hunters (FACE members from over 10 countries) Here they shared information on lynx reintroduction projects across the EU. The conference resulted in the signature of a networking agreement of exchange of information on lynx presence.

The Interreg project LECA was launched in April 2023 and will run for three years. The project introduces a new monitoring approach of large carnivore populations in the Carpathians to help with conflict management between humans and large carnivores. It involves local stakeholders from six different countries and eleven regions.

LIFE WolfAlps EU published a report “The wolf alpine population in 2020-2022 over 7 countries” in April 2023, providing an update of the status of the Alpine wolf population in 2020-2022, based on shared standard monitoring rules set in place.

The LIFE WILD WOLF project was launched at the beginning of the year, focusing on the wolf’s long-term conservation in Europe and reduce human-related conflicts in rural, but especially in urban and peri-urban areas. The project, running until August 2027 is implemented in eight countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden.

The final conference of LIFE SAFE-CROSSING was organised on 17-18 of May, featuring presentations from nine European countries and North America as well as a round table with key stakeholders and a field trip. Simultaneously, a video presenting the project’s activities was released.

LIFE LynxConnect and LIFE SAFE-CROSSING with the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge organised a joint conference 31 May - 2 June in Seville. The technical conference on Ecological restoration and transportation routes brought together experts to discuss how transport could be organised more sustainably in terms of its impact on habitats. More information including abstracts and conclusions can be found on the ministry website.

The latest edition of Carnivore Damage Prevention news includes an overview of protection measures in the Alps and a short article on the French regional platform common narrative. It is now available online on the CDP news website.

The conference which took place 30 March – 1 April 2023 in Oxford, UK aimed to enhance dialogue and collaboration on human-wildlife conflicts across sectors and disciplines as a global priority in biodiversity conservation, and at promoting ways to reduce and manage these conflicts. Members of the EU Platform and the Secretariat participated in the exchange and presented the work carried out during the previous year addressing regional stakeholder platforms, their members’ interactions and expectations in the context of promoting coexistence.

The IUCN SSC specialist group launched  comprehensive guidelines in early 2023, providing advice for good practice regarding the management of human-wildlife conflict while also considering both social and ecological aspects that might give rise to these conflicts. 

On 10 May 2023, the International lynx conference "Quo Vadis Lynx?" took place at the Wöltingerode Monastery in the Harz Mountains. In addition to a detailed review of the successful reintroduction of lynx in the Harz mountains more than 20 years ago, questions were discussed about what urgently needs to be done in the future to protect and preserve the continent's largest cat species. In addition, the conference highlighted opportunities and challenges in the conservation of the large predator in Europe. The presentations held can be found on the youtube channel of the Harz National Park. An international workshop the following two days, discussed how to better reinforce the Carpathian lynx population.

The conference, marking the 20^th anniversary of the Carpathian Convention was organized by the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic in Vsetín (CZ) from 22-24 May. The platform Secretariat presented the EU Platform and regional platforms as well as the Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Platform. Presentations can be viewed online.

Platform members will participate in an event on Co-existence of livestock farming and large carnivores in Europe organised jointly between the Parliamentary Intergroup on Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) and Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE). The meeting will be held at the European Committee of the Regions on 5 July.

The draft agenda includes presentation of a briefing from the European Parliament Research Service on adopted measures regarding the management of large carnivores in the members states, followed by statements from CoR and EP Intergroup representatives. The EU Large Carnivore Platform will also make a contribution, focusing on how collaborative platforms in the EU Platform model can support coexistence.

The LIFE LYNX final conference will be organized in Zadar, Croatia on 26 September, providing an opportunity to share experience and knowledge on lynx conservation in Europe. Final project results will also be presented, complemented by talks given by LIFE Lynx project partners and other experts. The conference will be followed by an excursion to a field trip to Paklencia National Park the next day.

The Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forest, in partnership with WWF are organizing an international summit which will take place in Bucharest, Romania in late September or October and be broadcasted online. The summit aims to review available tools and instruments for the conservation LC, best and worst practice methods regarding LC management and to strengthen a transdisciplinary approach regarding the subject. The draft programme includes several plenary meetings, panel discussions and workshops, discussing the beforementioned topics.

The event, taking place from 3-6 October in form of an in-person format in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the EUROPARC Federation. A dedicated workshop on 4 October will be used to discuss and trial parts of the EU Platform toolkit. More information regarding the conference programme and registration process can be found here.

The European Week of Regions and Cities will be taking place in Brussels during the 9-12 October. Useful information related to the event as well as the documentation of the kick-off meeting in February and the partners' meeting in May can be accessed here. 

Tatra National Park (TNP), located in the Tatra mountains in Southern Poland comprises the entire Polish part of Tatra Mountains (200 km²). Despite human activities being restricted to especially designated areas in both the Polish and Slovakian National Parks, particularly in the Tatra National Park, human influence is very high, with about three million tourists visiting the park every year.

In 2010, the brown bear population in the area (part of the Carpathian born bear population) was estimated at 20 individuals. Preventive measures such as electric fences to protect buildings, and guarding sheep flocks inside the park and in its close vicinity, are systematically used. If a problem bear appears, aversive conditioning is immediately implemented (e.g. by shooting with rubber bullets) and close monitoring of the situation is conducted. The staff of the Tatra National Park also acts in case of potentially conflicting situations outside the borders of the National Park, e.g. bears entering neighbouring villages.

Information and education campaigns aimed at tourists, hunters and local communities, devoted to increasing awareness about appropriate behaviour and the consequences of bear feeding are continuously conducted. There is also research carried out on a regular basis. For example, in 2013 an external study investigated how aware visitors to Tatra National Park (TNP) were of human influence on brown bears (Spalona 2013).

The Common misconceptions section of the EU Large Carnivores website provides a list of common questions which come up regarding the presence of large carnivores in Europe. Here we select one to present in the newsletter, but further questions and answers can be viewed online.

Common misconception: Large carnivores need wilderness areas to survive, large carnivores can be contained in protected areas

Wilderness in Europe is understood being areas “composed of native habitats and species, and large enough for the effective ecological functioning of natural processes. They are unmodified or only slightly modified and without intrusive or extractive human activity, settlements, infrastructure or visual disturbance.” There is often an assumption, based perhaps on the American idea of extensive national parks, that large carnivores need extensive wild areas to flourish. While it is clear that the recovery of large carnivores in Europe is linked to the increase of forest area and corresponding increase of prey species, large carnivores are not especially sensitive to human activities and can coexist with farming and forestry in a mixed landscape. While habitat does remain a limiting factor, it is not the most significant one.

On the other hand, large carnivores do need space. Because of their predatory habits, their conservation needs to be planned on very wide spatial scales which span many intra- and international administrative and jurisdictional borders. In general, even the country-scale is too small for large carnivores needs and cross-border management must be considered. Protected areas (PA) (the Natura 2000 network) adds considerably to the protection of large carnivore habitat; however, most of its sites are too small to support interconnected sub‐populations that could form a viable population. Considering population structure, suitable habitat and minimum patch size, only very few countries are able to support viable populations of these species within their PA system.

These results indicate that, even though PAs may contribute to the conservation of large carnivores, they are certainly not sufficient alone.