Description
So far, the monitoring of large carnivores in the Czech Republic has been carried out mainly through the tracking paths in selected areas or registration random observations. Estimates of the total size of the population in the Czech Republic are therefore based on insufficient data which do not allow accurate assessment of the state of stocks and changes in population size. The main objective of the project is to obtain reliable information about the current distribution and numbers of significant European species of carnivores: wolf, brown bear, lynx and wild cat. This will be achieved through a deterministic fotomonitoring, genetic analyses and habitat analyses, where the obtained data shall be validated and summarized in the study of the current occurrence of selected carnivore species. The nature protection of the Czech Republic will get more data to decide on critically endangered carnivore species. The project has no donor partner.
Summary of project results
The overall objective of the project was to provide new information on the occurrence of significant European species of carnivores: wolf, brown bear, lynx and wild cat. All the targets have been fully implemented (results are published in a study, which is available to public) and it is assumed that in the long-term impact better acceptance of the beast by the public and specific target groups such as foresters and hunters will be ensured. The project included opportunistic photo-monitoring in 44 European locations (including 24 wildcat sites), deterministic photo-monitoring of the lynx in 2 areas and monitoring of the occurrence signs of large carnivores. Total of 844 samples of wolf and lynx were analyzed through molecular and genetic methods. 8 seminars on monitoring of carnivores for Nature Conservation Agency’s staff, national parks’ management and for the wider public were organized. They managed to obtain a comprehensive picture of the situation of large wild cats and wild cats, an estimate of the population density of the lynx species and confirmation of the reproduction of the wolf. The project had ensured the widest monitoring of large carnivores in the Czech Republic so far with summarized specific recommendations into result plans and proposals for monitoring of carnivores for individual sites of European significance. After the end of the project, for example, there is an update of European distribution maps of large carnivores under the auspices of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE) expected. Without the implementation of the project, the construction of quality maps would be hard to imagine.
Summary of bilateral results