ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Wolves are large carnivores, top predators, that play an essential role in maintaining a viable wildlife and healthy natural ecosystems, that provide ecological, scientific, touristic and social values.
Despite the importance of this species, in Romania there are several threats to the wolf population, such as habitat fragmentation, poaching, the lack of proper management of the authorities, the lack of updated scientific information or the negative image of the species.

The aim of WOLFLIFE project is to maintain a viable population of wolves in the Carpathian Mountains by strengthening the management and promoting the human – wolf coexistence.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

• Improve the management of the species, by documenting, laying the groundwork and developing the participatory national action plan for wolf conservation;
• Implement demonstrative preventive solutions for managing human – wolf conflicts by transferring best practices to stakeholder groups, mainly represented by farmers and hunters;
• Prevent the wolf population decline by reducing mortality, limiting the competition with other species, reducing poaching and promoting habitat and protected areas connectivity;
• Transfer to institutions, organizations and individuals involved in wolf management the best practices that are necessary to ensure peaceful co-existence and a balance between the conservation needs of the wolf and those related to the sustainable development of local communities;
• Change the public perception and attitude towards wolf through an awareness campaign.

ACTIONS:

• Identify and implement best practices for collecting and processing information on current wolf population, diet and habitat of the species;
• Develop the best methods for reducing and preventing human-wolf conflicts;
• Document, lay the groundwork and develop a participatory national action plan;
• Implement measures for the conservation of species and habitats in collaboration with stakeholders.

KEY RESULTS:

• The adoption of the National Action Plan by The Environment Ministry;
• The adoption, at national level, of a metodology agreed by all stakeholders for the evaluation and monitoring of wolf population;
50% of hunting site managers and administrators of Natura 2000 sites that are part of the project area will adopt best practices for increasing prey species populations and maintaining viable populations of wolf;
• Reduce damages caused by wolves to farmers;
• Increasing the acceptance of wolves by farmers and hunters and improving the image of the species among the population.
• Reduce the risk of diseases among wolves in the project area by sterilizing and vaccinating almost 55% of stray dogs that use the same habitat as wolves.