SeNSS Placement: Addressing Stakeholder Conflicts through Large Carnivore Monitoring

by Faye Whiley

SeNSS Researcher

Science, Technology, and Sustainability Studies Pathway, University of Kent

Figure 1: Measuring a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) print

As my PhD research investigates the effects of a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) reintroduction into Scotland, I thought it was important to gain an insight of social issues associated with large carnivores from a country already coexisting with these species. For my SeNSS placement, I joined the Slovak Wildlife Society (http://www.slovakwildlife.org/) in the Tatra mountains in Slovakia, who monitor large carnivores to address these social issues and conserve wolf (Canis lupus) and lynx populations. After the annual winter hunting season in Slovakia, there are major inconsistencies in large carnivore numbers between environmental and game statistics. Environmentalists state there are ~ 150 individuals left after the hunting season, whilst the official game statistics suggest > 2000 animals. This highlights the need for clear, objective data to establish the numbers of large carnivores.

Previous methods to estimate wolf population numbers involved hunting grounds reporting the number of individual wolves seen within a certain time period. However, wolves establish large territories which may cross numerous hunting grounds. This resulted in an overestimation of wolf population numbers and an annual hunting quota which threatened the long-term survival of these wolf populations.

Figure 2: Collecting a wolf (Canis lupus) urine sample for genetic analysis

The Slovak Wildlife Society use non-invasive genetic sampling to estimate population numbers. This involves tracking wolves over a 3-week period in January to collect urine, faecal and hair samples, and checking remote camera traps. Each day groups of experts, guides and volunteers covered transects of 12 – 18 km (sometimes in 70cm deep snow!) to follow tracks and collect samples (Figure 1 and 2). These samples are sent to an external laboratory for analysis, and are used to objectively calculate a potential number of wolf packs and individual wolf numbers. This data is presented at an annual meeting to government and ministry officials.

My time with the Slovak Wildlife Society gave me an understanding of the social issues associated with living alongside carnivores through engaging with researchers and local people. Additionally, I gained valuable field experience through collecting DNA samples for analysis, and checking camera traps. This experience highlighted to me the issues that could potentially arise from a reintroduction of a large carnivore, and the areas of concern by stakeholders living alongside carnivores.

Twitter: @FayeWhiley