Description
From co-existence of humans and large carnivores in the cultural countryside many issues arise, such as economic losses in animal production and illegal hunting of protected animals. In the project, protection of livestock will be improved both in Slovakia and Norway. The Wolf Management Plan will be elaborated. Effective methods of livestock protection against depredation at 5 model farms (4 in Slovakia and 1 in Norway) will be realised, covering together an area of 2,800 ha. Public awareness will be raised by seminars, a website and media work. Among the target groups are expert organisations in the field of nature protection, the hunter association and farms. Naturvernforbundet i Hedmark will contribute to elaboration of comparison of approach of target groups to solving co-existence of humans and large carnivores and sharing information with the public in both countries. IMSA Knowledge Company AS will take active part in experience and knowledge sharing among the both countries in order to improve solving conflict situations.
Summary of project results
From co-existence of humans and large carnivores in the cultural countryside many issues arise, such as economic losses in animal production and illegal hunting of protected animals. The project was aimed at improving protection of livestock both in Slovakia and Norway. Effective methods of livestock protection against depredation at 5 model farms (4 in Slovakia and 1 in Norway) were realised, covering together an area of 3,300 ha. At these farms, 15 sheep guarding dogs were places and raised with excellent results - they grew adults and became effective in protection of the sheep, which was proved by monitoring of their behaviour and monitoring of large carnivores in the surrounding area. Experience and knowledge was spread by 4 seminars, 2 of them in Norway, for more than 220 participants, also by the website and media work, including reports in the Slovak television (RTVS) and the Norwegian television. The Wolf Management Plan was elaborated in co-operation with various stakeholders, namely the representatives of the State NatureConservancy of the Slovak republic, hunters and farmers and the document was submitted to the Ministry of Environment for approval. Slovakia can thus fulfil its obligation arising from the EU directives. Among the target groups were expert organisations in the field of nature protection, the hunter associations and farms. Naturvernforbundet i Hedmark contributed to elaboration of comparison of approach of target groups to solving co-existence of humans and large carnivores and sharing information with the public in both countries. IMSA Knowledge Company AS took active part in experience and knowledge sharing among the both countries in order to improve solving conflict situations.
Summary of bilateral results
Naturvernforbundet i Hedmark, a provincial branch of well-respected Naturvernforbundet (FoE Norway), has experience in supporting sustainable development through activities accomplished to protect natural resources including biodiversity and plays a key role in monitoring of activities of public and private institutions and individuals. In the project, Naturvernforbundet i Hedmark contributed to elaboration of comparison of approach of target groups to solving co-existence of humans and large carnivores. The organisation cooperated on a questionnaire survey on damages, methods of pasturage and the level of preventive measures targeting 250 farms in Slovakia and Norway. They also cooperated at processing the data acquired from 50 farms, toghether with the data from structured interviews with 29 farmes in Slovakia and Norway who kept sheep guardian dogs in the past. The organisation also took an active part in dissemination of knowledge, such as by active participation at seminars organised in Slovakia (in December 2014 and October 2015) and Norway (in August 2014 and January 2015) with more than 220 participants altogether. IMSA Knowledge Company AS has gathered important experience in area of relations between natural resources use and related conflicts that may arise. The organisation is settled in an area with presence of the wolf, the bear, the lynx and the wolverine and herds of sheep, goats and livestock at the same time. A significant measure of depredation has forced them to search for solutions appropriate for all stakeholders and the nature at the same time. IMSA Knowledge Company AS took active part in experience and knowledge sharing in the both countries in order to improve solving conflict situations. Their representative for example held a lecture in the education seminar in Slovakia (in December 2014) and created important connections among representatives of involved target groups in Norway and Slovakia.