Wolves in Croatia: Only 43 packs, the condition is good only in the Alpine region

In order to ensure a stable and long-term sustainable wolf population, which is stable only in the Alpine region, Croatia, where 43 wolf packs have been observed, is preparing a new wolf management plan after the European Commission's proposal to change the status of the wolf from a strictly protected to a protected species was adopted.

The decision of the European Union, which entered into force last year, allowed the member states greater flexibility in managing the wolf population on their territory, and Croatia's position was presented in the Wolf Management Plan, which is in public consultation until January 22.

It is a ten-year document aimed at reducing conflicts between wolves and humans, recognizing the wolf's important ecological role, and actively involving local communities and other stakeholders in monitoring, managing and coexisting with this species,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection told the HINA news agency.

Reduce conflict between wolf and man

The plan enhances the existing wolf management framework by "zoning", which identifies contiguous areas of high ecological benefit to the wolf with the potential to significantly reduce conflict, which are defined as conservation cores.

At the same time, special management zones are established in which the application of targeted measures is foreseen, including the removal of problematic wolf individuals from that area.

The creation of standardized protocols for dealing with different situations, as well as the establishment and implementation of a national program for monitoring the wolf population, is also foreseen.

Prevent crossbreeding with stray dogs

Special attention is paid to the prevention of interbreeding of wolves with stray dogs, which, according to the Ministry, contributes to the preservation of the genetic integrity of the species and ensures the long-term stability and sustainability of the wolf population in Croatia.

Illegal waste dumps that attract dogs and wolves will be suppressed, stray dogs in the wolf range will be sterilized and removed, and genetic testing will be conducted to detect hybrids and remove them from the wild.

Areas of special management along the Adriatic coast consist of urban areas in the coastal area from Rijeka to the very south of Croatia, where intensive traffic and tourism activities take place. This habitat belongs to the worst category, which is unsuitable for wolves, but its appearance is occasionally recorded, causing casualties on roads and damage to farms.

The plan foresees an analysis of the connectivity of key areas of the Dinaric-Balkan population (Risnjak, Gorski kotar and Lika, Velebit, Dinara, Biokovo and others), improving the efficiency of the so-called green bridges and overpasses, and creating a new habitat suitability map that also includes data on wolf reproductive habitats.

Unfavorable situation in the continental and Mediterranean regions

The Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition emphasizes that the wolf population in Croatia is stable and favorable only in the Alpine region, while the situation is unfavorable in the continental and Mediterranean.

By processing over 20,000 wolf sightings from 2019 to 2023, a total of 43 packs were identified in Croatia, a significant part of which we share with neighboring countries. The average pack size is five to six individuals, which is the result of research and monitoring of wolves in Croatia over the past 20 years.

The Institute emphasizes that the successful conservation of large carnivores, along with the implementation of all management mechanisms, also depends on public attitudes and the level of acceptance of the carnivores in the space they share. As circumstances change, attitudes and the level of acceptance can change, so the research on attitudes towards bears confirmed that a clear management strategy is the basis for acceptance.

What affects the level of acceptance?

The most important determinants that influence the level of acceptance are ecological and economic, as well as the level at which bears are considered a threat in terms of property damage and risk of personal harm.

Also of significant influence are socio-demographic factors, knowledge about a particular species of wild animal and past experiences with them. The perception of population size is probably among the most important components that shape public expectations towards large carnivores, the Institute points out.

Conflict situations between humans and large carnivores in Croatia, but also in the European context, most often relate to wolves, bears and lynxes.

Wolves can cause significant damage by attacking livestock, especially sheep and goats, which leads to dissatisfaction and distrust of livestock farmers towards measures to protect and preserve the species.

“The cause of these conflicts is often a reduction of natural habitat, habitat fragmentation, reduction of prey in nature and expansion of human activities into areas that were once the habitats of carnivores, the Institute warns.

They say that the solutions include preventive measures such as electric fences, herding dogs and adequate herding of livestock, but also continuous payment of compensation for the resulting damages and education and information of the population.

Source: HRT