WEBINAR Large Carnivores: strategies for a better coexistence

Wildlife return in Europe is seen by many as a great conservation success, but it brings some new challenges too. For centuries, the wolf, the bear, the lynx and wolverine, were chased and expelled from their natural habitats – and went almost extinct in many European places. However, the current land use in Europe, habitat improvement and increase of prey species - backed by the legal protection large carnivores have in some countries - brought a new opportunity for them to come back, raising potential conflicts between farmers and livestock producers, hunters, local authorities, protected areas, and NGOs.

The ”us or them” argument seems no longer valid and it is time to find joint solutions and work together for a better coexistence between people and large carnivores.

EUROPARC believes Protected Areas have an important role to play, not only safeguarding these species and respective habitats, but also in mediating dialogue with local authorities, supporting farmers and livestock producers and working with local communities.

There are many successful examples that demonstrate how conflicts can be minimised through prevention, education, training and awareness raising. In this webinar, we bring you some successful strategies that were implemented in Estonia, Italy and Portugal.

The webinar will be moderated by Valeria Salvatori, co-author of the European Commission guidance document "Guidelines for Population Level Management Plans for Large Carnivores". Since 1998, Valeria has been working with large carnivores in many EU projects in different regions, and she is a member of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (IUCN Task force of the SSC).