PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
As a result of the dispersal of the wolf population (Canis lupus) to new areas south of the Douro River, the threats affecting the species need to be quickly tackled or mitigated. The implementation of the project LIFE WolFlux (LIFE17 NAT PT000554) has identified opportunities for further action. The current dispersal of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) from hotspots of reintroduction called for a synergic action involving both species, a cost-effective solution to tackle common problems, including coexistence with humans.
By focusing both on concrete interventions and on changing behaviors and improving capacity and knowledge for action, the project addresses prevention of conflicts that may arise in dispersal areas where former conservation efforts have taken place, avoiding or mitigating problems that are well known (e.g. damage to livestock, illegal killing).
OBJECTIVES
This project aims to create favorable socioecological conditions for Iberian wolf (Canis lupus) and Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) south of the Douro River, in an area where both species are starting to recolonize. Ecological conditions include increasing abundance of wild prey and improving habitat. Social conditions include promoting positive coexistence with rural communities and socioeconomic local development, as well as increasing capacity and knowledge exchange in the assessment of damage prevention and the detection of environmental crime.
Specific objectives include:
- to improve conditions for dispersal of the Iberian wolf and the Iberian lynx throughout the project intervention area
- to reduce potential threats to conservation of the Iberian wolf and Iberian lynx throughout the project intervention area
- to develop, demonstrate and promote transboundary cooperation and common tools/solutions to achieve the former objectives
- to provide support and enhance the capacities of private actors to undertake complementary land management for wildlife conservation
- to build capacity in public and private agents and improve law enforcement
- to actively engage civil society in the proposed conservation works
- to act as a catalyst for deployment of analogous technical and policy-related solutions
RESULTS
- Improved legal framework to cope with needs of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD), including preparation of one proposal for changes of Portuguese legislation
- Increased habitat and prey (e.g. Oryctolagus cuniculus) for wolf and lynx embracing a total intervention area of 16,881 ha
- Increases of habitat and prey for wolf and lynx in at least 12 private properties
- Increased use of LGD’s in recent wolf areas, allowing to improve damage prevention in 16 to 32 farms from Portugal and Spain
- Complementary fencing to prevent damages, installing 2,200 linear meters of permanent fence in Portugal and 880 linear meters in Spain, distribution of 21 kits of mobile electric fences in Portugal (10 kits) and Spain (11 kits) and 6,000 linear meters of turbo-fladry (Barbacana) in Spain
- 3 complementary peer-to-peer workshops on damage prevention to reach and build capacity in over 30 livestock breeders
- Transboundary trainings for law enforcement to build capacity on at least 50 agents
- Design and operation of a Pilot team for forensic analysis (and related training)
- Enlargement of a network of “wildlife ambassadors”
- Organisation of 4 transboundary trainings focusing on best practices for the design, operation and management of nature tourism programmes on the target species
- Organisation of 10 participatory sessions with key local actors
- 1 augmented reality application that can be used to “visualize” the wolf and lynx
- 1 Project Documentary
- 3 itinerant exhibits reaching 8 locations/events per year
- Implementation of an Environmental Education Programme
- 1 Certified Training Program deployed regularly (students and teachers)
- 10 technical/scientific publications on the project works
- 150 technicians participating in Project’s Final Symposium
- 4 new issues of the Carnivore Damage Prevention News
