The action plan for large carnivores in Czech Republic – public awareness campaign

The action plan for large carnivores in Czech Republic – public awareness campaign

Miroslav Kutal, Hnutí DUHA

Seminár „Veľké šelmy – navrhované usmernenie EK, aktuálne otázky

v Českej republike a na Slovensku“

Bratislava, 11.2.2008

Why a public awareness campaign?

John Linnell, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 2006:

„I hate to admit it as an ecologist, but the most pressing issues are related to social science.”

The carnivore comeback, Science 314: 746-749.

Preparation of the awareness campaign (1) Set up during 2005 – 2006 by Hnutí DUHA (J.

Bláha et al.) Experience from previous work (1995-2004) Discussions with NGOs and experts involved

in the topic: Hnutí DUHA Olomouc (M. Kutal) ČSOP Valašské Meziříčí (M. Orálek, M. Dvorský) ČSOP Rožnov pod Radhoštěm (F. Šulgan) Beskydčan (L. Košťál, Š. Košťálová) D. Bartošová, P. Benda, P. Bezděčka, L. Bufka, J. Červený,

K. Kočí, P. Koubek, L. Králíček, L. Kunc, J. Pavelka (mosty from state nature conservancy institutions)

Preparation of the awareness campaign (2)

• Developed a draft of public campaign• Common discussion with all

participants including state nature conservation (in Czech LC platform)

• Final adjustment

Photo: K. Brož

Objectives Illegal hunting not

accepted by public

Large carnivores considered asa natural and common part of Czech forests

Involving of local people in large carnivore conservation

Levels of influence

Local level (where large carnivores are present)

National level Specific target groups:

- local opinion leaders- hunters- farmers- providers of tourism

Main actions on national level: Media work (press reports) Base for implementation teams on local level,

coordination Books (reprint, new translations) Website, TV spot (short movie) Reward for an information about poaching Searching for suitable existing movies,

translation

Main actions on local level:

Media work (local newspapers) Releasing of leaflets, posters… Information panels, exhibitions Discussion forums in villages Education program in schools Regional video libraries Traveling cinema for local communities

„Wolf and lynx patrols“

„Wolf Patrols“

From 1999 inthe Beskydy Mts.

Successful action against poaching, involves local people and reinforces monitoring of large carnivores.

„Wolf Patrols“

Discourage from poaching

Search for illegal baits

„Wolf Patrols“

Monitor large carnivores

Main actions on specific target groups Hunters: discussion forums, educational

publications Farmers: preventive measures (advisory

service, practical booklet…) Providers of tourism: postcards of LC,

presentations in hotels, information boards..

Work with local opinion leaders

Děkuji za pozornost

Miroslav KutalHnutí DUHA Olomouc

miroslav.kutal@hnutiduha.czwww.selmy.cz