Large Carnivore Management Best Practice
A study collating best practice on protection management of wolf, bear, lynx and wolverine in EU member states has been produced by the EC DG for Internal Policies (February 2018).
It was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the EP Committee on Petitions (PETI).
The legal framework for protection is reviewed under conditions of derogation, along with measures to promote coexistence and implications for management.
While populations are recovering, the Study concludes that significant further endeavour is required to recover fuller functionality across former ranges where ecological and spatial conditions remain favourable or can be restored.
Key findings:
- Lethal control has little effect as a management measure
- Hunting worsens the impact of intolerance, eg poaching
- Wider dissemination of successful livestock management practices to mitigate conflict is crucial
- Compensation must be linked to such practices, and not operated in isolation, to produce sustainable outcomes
- More focus needed on promotion, communication and engagement of all stakeholders