PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Human-wildlife conflict is increasing as a result of the successful reintroduction of the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), which are now spreading outside their original conservation areas. They can now be found in Beira Interior (Portugal) and Extremadura (Spain) south of the River Douro, areas where both species are beginning to appear or have an irregular presence.
There is now an urgent need to overcome these conflicts by avoiding or mitigating well-known problems such as livestock attacks and illegal hunting.
OBJECTIVES
The primary aim of LIFE LUPI LYNX is to promote better coexistence between these predators and humans, by creating the habitats and socioecological conditions which allow them to live alongside human activities.
The project will protect the Iberian wolf and the Iberian lynx to allow them to settle and thrive in areas of their former range. This will require socioecological conditions such as an abundance of wild prey; improved habitat; positive coexistence with rural communities; local economic benefits; knowledge exchange; and raising awareness of how to prevent attacks on livestock and the detection of wildlife crime.
To achieve this ideal, the project team specifically aims to develop, demonstrate and promote transboundary cooperation, common tools and solutions to:
- improve conditions for dispersing both species throughout the project intervention area
- reduce potential threats to both species throughout the project intervention area
- provide support and enhance the capacities of private landowners to practise complementary land management for wildlife conservation
- build capacity in both the public and private sectors to improve law enforcement
- get civil society on board with the proposed conservation approach
- act as a catalyst for the deployment of technical and policy-related solutions
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
- an improved legal framework for Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs), including a proposal for changes to Portuguese legislation
- increased habitat and prey for wolf and lynx covering 16 881 hectares (ha)
- increased habitat and prey for wolf and lynx on at least 12 private properties
- increased use of LGD’s in recent wolf areas on 16 to 32 farms in Portugal and Spain
- 2 200 metres of permanent fencing installed in Portugal and 880 metres in Spain
- 21 mobile electric fence kits distributed in Portugal and Spain
- 6 000 metres of turbo-fladry (temporary non-lethal electrified fencing) installed in Spain
- 3 peer-to-peer capacity-building workshops on preventing attacks involving 30 livestock breeders
- transboundary training sessions for at least 50 law enforcement agents
- design, training and operation of a pilot team for forensic analysis
- an enlarged network of wildlife ambassadors
- 4 transboundary training sessions on best practices for the design, operation and management of nature tourism programmes
- 10 participatory sessions with key local individuals, communities, businesses, non-profit organisations and others
- an augmented reality app to “visualise” wolf and lynx
- a project documentary
- 3 travelling exhibitions in 8 locations or events per year
- an environmental education programme in local schools and colleges
- a regular certified training programme for both students and teachers
- regular inbound and outbound networking
- 10 technical/scientific publications about the project
- 150 experts and scientists participating in the project’s final symposium
- 4 new issues of Carnivore Damage Prevention News
