EU Large Carnivore Platform Seventh Regional Workshop Report Budva, 6 November 2018

Report of the Seventh Regional Workshop of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores Budva, 6 November 2018

This report was drafted for the Platform members with the assistance of adelphi consult

GmbH and Callisto, as part of the services provided to DG Environment of the European

Commission for Service Contract No. 07.0202/2017/768359/SER/ENV.D.3. It does not

necessarily reflect the official view of the European Commission.

Visit the Platform at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/carnivores/coexistence_platform.htm

Contents

Introduction 3

Background 3

Aim of the workshop 4

Workshop format 4

Workshop attendance 4

Workshop presentations 5

Introduction and workshop aims 5

Introduction to the ‘EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large

Carnivores’ 5

Overview from the neighbouring countries 8

Need for population level management of large carnivores in the region 11

Examples of transboundary / regional cooperation and initiatives from the

region and other EU countries 11

Break out groups discuss the potential for establishing a Dinara-Pindos-Balkan

regional large carnivore platform and workshop statement 13

Conclusions and next steps 14

Workshop statement 14

Next steps 15

Annex 1. Agenda 17

Annex 2. Participants list 20

Annex 3. Break out groups results 22

GROUP 1: What are the topics a platform in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region needs

to address? 23

GROUP 2: Which are the most important challenges that the platform will face?24

GROUP 3: Taking the EU Large Carnivore Platform as a role model: what should a

platform in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region look like? 27

ALL: Views on establishing a platform 28

Annex 3. Pictures 29

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Introduction

The EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores organises regional

workshops twice a year in areas where there are ongoing conflicts regarding people and

large carnivores. The seventh regional workshop, entitled Coexistence between people and

large carnivores: transboundary cooperation and preparing the ground for a platform in the

Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region, was organised by the Platform members WWF (represented

by WWF Adria) and IUCN-LCIE in partnership with EuroNatur, Parks Dinarides – network of

protected areas of Dinarides and the Center for Protection and Research of Birds in

Montenegro. The workshop took place between 10:00-16:30, 6 November, the day before

the 4th Conference of Parks Dinarides 7-8 November 2018.

Background

In the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region, the traditional cultural landscapes and large wilderness areas have been preserved on a scale unmatched by many countries of the European Union (EU). Thanks to its specific geographical position on the dividing line between several biogeographic regions and its characteristic ecological, climatic and geomorphologic conditions, the Western Balkans are one of the richest European regions in terms of biodiversity, including three large carnivore (LC) species – brown bear, wolf and lynx. The prospect of EU membership is currently a key political driver in the region. Strong economic growth and progressive integration of the countries in the region into the EU are the goal for many, to bring the stability, security, and prosperity that the people of the region are hoping for. However, this process will only be successful if it preserves and enhances the environmental and social capital rather than sacrificing it. For environmental managers, transposing of EU environmental law will be a challenge including expanding the Natura 2000 network, important for meeting the biodiversity policy goals of the EU.

Current status of large carnivore populations

The Dinara-Pindos brown bear population is shared by nine countries and the Dinara-Balkan wolf population by ten. According to the current state of knowledge both populations are stable, while the population status of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) including the critically endangered subspecies Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) is very fragile. LC populations are shared among EU and non-EU member states. Cross-border cooperation has received little attention on the European level despite the threats and uneven legal protection and conservation status, and problems encountered due to conflict with humans.

Conservation management challenges

The awareness of EU guidelines for population level conservation and management in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region is very low as well as the capacity and competences to follow the guidelines. Until now, there is no common platform to agree a joint approach to managing LC in the area. At the same time, threats to their conservation status, e.g. large scale infrastructure projects, are increasing. Some of the counties in the region do not have properly regulated LC conservation and management strategies, including monitoring programs. The legal framework is not aligned with EU and international standards, management plans do not exist or are not implemented. While relevant international conventions (Bern Convention and CITES) have been signed by most of the countries, they are not implemented. For those countries considering EU accession, the state for establishment of Natura 2000 sites and implementing the Habitats Directive are behind schedule.

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Conflict between different interest groups

Cohabitation between people and large carnivores has a long history in the region and people have developed ways to minimise LC damages and so minimise conflict. On the one hand, this tradition should be preserved and maintained, and even used as a showcase for a number of west European countries. On the other hand, inevitable lifestyle changes such as urbanisation, changes in farming practices or tourism lead in some cases to new or increased conflict. It is important to involve a range of stakeholders (such as farmers, hunters, touristic developers, space planners) in the discussions from an early stage to avoid the many mistakes of early conservation management in EU countries.

Aim of the workshop

The workshop had the following aims:

To introduce participants to the concept and work of the EU LC Platform as a

potential blueprint for a Dinaric LC platform;

To start a process of establishing / reinforcing transnational communication and

networks working on LCs in the Dinarides

To share information on the current national status of the LC species in each country;

To identify threats and needs with regard to the establishment of a population based

management of the three LC species in the region;

To assess interest in and if possible establish a common vision for the purpose and

tasks of a future Dinaric LC platform;

To set up an initial group of contacts / mailing list of interested parties.

Workshop format

The first half of the workshop focused on short inputs to share information on the following topics:

Role of the EU Platform;

National status and management of LC;

Existing regional platforms in the EU and existing transboundary cooperation in the Dinaric region.

This was followed by break-out groups which looked at different aspects of what a regional platform could cover. Following the break-out groups, a workshop statement was drafted and the content discussed and agreed in the plenary.

See Annex 1 for the full agenda.

Workshop attendance

The workshop was attended by the Platform members ELO, WWF, FACE, the Finnish

Reindeer Herders Association and IUCN-LCIE. From the region, the participants were mainly

managing authorities, park authorities, nature conservation NGOs, scientists and fewer

hunting representatives. See Annex 2 for a list of participants.

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Workshop presentations

Introduction and workshop aims

Introduction and workshop aims, Andrea Štefan (the World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF)

& Annette Spangenberg (EuroNatur)

The workshop aims to address the challenges of managing large carnivores across ten

countries where there is currently little existing common dialogue on species management.

Transboundary management involving many stakeholders and authorities is urgently

needed. On the EU level transboundary management is recognised as necessary (see the

guidelines on population management) and this is also recognised by many stakeholders.

The aim for the workshop is therefore to bring together those dealing with large carnivores in

the region so that they can exchange information and learn from one another about the

current state of knowledge in the different countries. Additionally, the workshop aims to

introduce the concept of the EU Platform to learn about how this works and it could

potentially be of use in the region. It is also a chance to network, in the breaks and more

interactive session of the workshop. The main outcome desired is a common vision for the

purpose of a regional platform. However, the organisers are very well aware, that

establishing a platform in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region requires a lot more effort, both on

national and international level. Thus, this meeting is a first step, also taken into

consideration that not all those needed to establish such a platform are present in this initial

scoping meeting.

Introduction to the ‘EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large

Carnivores’

Session chaired by Luis Suarez, WWF Spain

Introduction to the EU Platform, Luis Suarez, WWF Spain

It’s important to look at the Platform name. “People” comes before “large carnivores”. The

Platform is considering people first and the interactions between people which lead to

conflict. The EU framework for managing LC includes regulations – the Habitats Directive

and means to implement it. These means include the Action Plan for Nature, People and the

Economy, guidance and learning support to member states and also the EU Platform and the

regional platforms supported by the EU. The work to establish the Platform started in 2012.

Because it is a complicated area, a large number of stakeholders were involved: eight

different organisations representing stakeholder groups finally signed the agreement in 2014.

The farmers’ organisation, COPA-COGECA, however, decided to leave the Platform in 2015.

Now sever organisations are involved and their work is supported by the European

Commission. The Platform isn’t an advisory group and doesn’t discuss policy. Instead the

members exchange information on how to solve conflicts. The Platform agreed joint

principals and ways of working together in its initial agreement. Each year, it agrees a work

plan including a range of communication activities, meetings and background research,

supported by the secretariat.

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Reasons for participating in the Platform

The Platform members were asked to each give feedback on why they signed the Platform

agreement, what the Platform has delivered and what cannot be expected from such a

platform.

Anne Ollila (Finnish Reindeer Herders Association)

All four species of large carnivore are present in the reindeer herding area in Finland,

Sweden and Norway. Around 25,000-30,000 reindeer are lost to predators each year in

Finland alone. While reindeer herders can live with a loss of animals, the numbers need to

be controlled. The Association joined the Platform because they felt they were poorly

understood in central Europe. It found the Platform a good forum for discussion and feel that

thanks to the Platform, reindeer herders situation is better understood in the EU and

nationally and they also better understand the situation in other regions. You cannot expect

the Platform to come to you and solve your problems but you can hope for better

understanding of the issues you are facing.

Valeria Salvatori (Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe – LCIE)

LCIE is a group of experts including natural and social scientists, NGOs and administrations.

They were established as a specialised species group under IUCN to exchange information

on LC but at some point felt that they were only exchanging information between like-minded

colleagues. The Platform is an opportunity to learn directly from other interest groups and

also explain and communicate LCIE’s work and positions. It cannot be expected to solve

problems directly on the ground but organisations can benefit from the consultation and

dialogue.

Roderick Enzerink (Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU –

FACE)

FACE represents hunters in 36 countries inside and outside the EU and deal with many

species, not just LC. Hunters generally see LC as part of the natural management but

believe in most cases, that management is needed. Trans-boundary management is

necessary but difficult to implement in practice. The EU Platform works well to share

information across the EU and across stakeholder groups and to improve trust and dialogue.

It has fostered constructive dialogue in Brussels and at the regional workshops and more

cooperation between stakeholders. The fact that farmers aren’t taking part is a serious gap

as they face the greatest problems with LC. Building trust is the most important function of

such a platform – it’s mainly about managing human-human relations, not LCs. If a regional

platform is established, it is important not to pre-judge what it will do. Participants should start

with an open mind.

Emmanuelle Mikosz (European Landowners’ Association – ELO)

ELO is made up of 64 associations from inside and outside the EU and has existed for 40

years. It represents the private sector including land and forest owners and managers and

entrepreneurs in rural areas. It is a challenge to bring organisations with very different

positions on LC together even on the Brussels level and will be harder when working also

with national governments. There is a need to maintain activity in rural areas. ELO is an

important member of the Platform because it focuses on this within the Platform and also

tries to make the link with the farming associations and re-involve them. The Platform has

been important for discussing a range of solutions: management, compensation, damage

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schemes and how they are used across Europe within the legal framework provided by the

Habitats Directive and the Action Plan.

Luis Suarez, WWF Spain

WWF works on many activities relating to Natura 2000, the Birds Directive and the Habitats

Directive. It was keen to join the Platform to focus on implementation of the Habitats

Directive. For a conservation organisation, it is better to have direct contact with other

interest groups to try to find solutions together rather than focusing on legal routes for

enforcement. Building trust has been one of the most important things the Platform has

achieved. You cannot expect magical solutions from a platform. Its focus isn’t on policy or

changing the law. The EU Platform has also realised that they can only find out about the

conflicts on the ground by visiting the areas through regional workshops and has also moved

further towards integrating its work with regionally established platforms.

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Overview from the neighbouring countries

Session chaired by Andrea Stefan, WWF Adria

The aim of this session was to give a brief overview of what is known on LC populations and their management across the region. Each presenter

was asked to present the information below in 5 minutes. This was a challenge as the presenters gathered information from a wide range of

sources in a collaborative working process. A range of Scientists, NGOs and stakeholders were involved in drawing the presentations together.

Table 1. Summary of presentations. Note that information comes from a variety of years and sources and may not take into account cross-border

populations

Country Presenter Status Legal framework Management Monitoring

Albania Zamir Dedej & Aleksander Trajçe

Bear: Vulnerable (VU), strictly protected (protected since 1953), ca. 180-200 individuals Wolf: low risk / near threatened (LRnt), protected species since 1994, ca. 200-250 ind. Balkan lynx: Critically Endangered (CR), strictly protected (Protected since 1969). 5-10 ind.

Priority species for conservation in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (1999 & 2015)

National Action Plan 2007 No action plan National Action Plan developed in 2007

Increase now: Camera trapping Prints Database for rangers to record sightings

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Igor Trbojević

Bear: 1000-1200, decreased, IUCN LC Wolf: 400-600, decreased, IUCN LC Lynx: 80-90, slightly increased, IUCN LC

Law on Hunting and Law on Nature Conservation (separate laws for Federation B&H and Srpska)

No national management plan. Regionalised management structure Federation of B&H Bear: Hunting with closed season (varies between Federation and Srpska) Wolf: hunting with closed season (Federation), open hunting (Srpska) Lynx: permanent hunting ban

Statistical data on numbers killed. Population estimates (exaggerated)

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Country Presenter Status Legal framework Management Monitoring

Greece Yorgos Mertzanis

Bear: 400-500, IUCN EN Wolf: 717-815 (189 packs), IUCN VU Balkan lynx: unknown (vagrants), IUCN CR

Bear: Strictly protected under Greek law HD (Annex IV exc Wolf north 39 parallel, annex V) Bern Convention

Action plan for bear (to be updated 2019)

Bear: Recording of biosigns, FWCOY spring survey, damages, questionnaires, camera traps, telemetry, genetics Wolf: damage, occupancy models, howling, snow-tracking, telemetry, interviews Balkan lynx: questionnaires, testimonies, camera traps

Croatia Antonija Bišćan

Bear: 600-1000 individuals, stable population Wolf: 126-186 individuals (2015), 50 packs estimated Lynx: 50 individuals (unfavourable)

International: CBD, HD, CITES Hunting Act Nature Protection Act Forest Act Animal Protection Act Veterinary Act

Management Plans for all three (initiated in 2004/2005, revised between 2008-2010, second revisions ongoing)

Brown bear: Annual monitoring as part of hunting season (game species), biannual population trend, genetic analysis every 8-10 years Wolf: genetic sampling as part of management programme

Kosovo Ismail Hetemaj

Bear: 80-100 individuals Wolf: up to 100 individuals Lynx: up to 6 (2 confirmed)

EU Directives implemented by Law No.03/L-233 on Nature Protection Law No. 02/L-53 on hunting Administrative Instruction No.18/2012: Brown bear is protected therefore, while Lynx and wolf are strictly protected.

No Management Plans for Large mammals Other institutions in charge: Kosovo Forest Agency, through Directorate of Wildlife and Hunting, Kosovo Hunting Federation.

Conducted by Kosovo Institute for Nature Protection & past projects Within the Balkan Lynx Recovery Program from ERA and FINCH: systematic camera trapping

Montenegro Jelena Koprivica

Bear: 400 individuals Wolf: 700 individuals Lynx: -

Wildlife and Hunting Law Nature Protection Law CITES, CBD, HD, Bern Convention, Bonn Convention

No management plans Regulation of Methodology for Determination and Monitoring on wild species (new genetic methods)

FYR Macedonia

Vlatko Trpeski

Bear: 160-200 bears Wolf: 267 wolves Lynx: 20 to 44 individuals

Bear and Lynx: strictly protected species (Law on Hunting, Law of Nature Protection) CITES, HD, Bern Convention

National Strategy for Nature Conservation with Action Plan (2017-2027) and for Biodiversity with Action Plan (2018-2023), 3. Plan for Implementation of Birds and Habitats Directives, 2017 No management plans

No monitoring scheme in place; results from distinct projects and valorisation studies All three: genetic research/sampling, telemetry/GPS, dead animals Bear: track transects Wolf: track transects; howling surveys; Lynx: camera-trapping.

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Country Presenter Status Legal framework Management Monitoring

Serbia Dusko Cirovic

Bear: 120-140 individuals (increasing/stable in regions) Wolf: 800-900 (stable – increasing) Lynx: 40-60 (slightly increasing)

Law on Protection of Nature Law on Game and Hunting (wolf = game, bear and lynx = strictly protected)

Management/Action plans for all three Transboundary monitoring

Slovenia Peter Skoberne

Bear: 533-598 (favourable conservation status) Wolf: 52 (unfavourable – inadequate) Lynx: 15 (unfavourable – bad)

Bern Convention (brown bear/wolf: reservation, lynx: appendix II) HD (annex II, IV) CITES Protected under Nature Protection Law (all three)

Action plans for each of the species (brown bear 2003-2005, wolf: 2013-2017, lynx 2023) National strategy for each of the species Compensation system Intervention group Education, Awareness and Advice service Population management

Monitoring protocols for all three species Centralized monitoring data on mortality, contact and damage events, damage compensation, using telemetry, organised counting, genetic data, howling Population modelling, genetic data

Bulgaria Stiliyan Geraskov

Bear: 411 (decreasing) Wolf: 2640 individuals (increasing) Lynx: no data

Biological Diversity Act (brown bear, wolf) Hunting and Game Conservation Act (wolf) HD, CITES, Bern Convention

Management plan 2008, national monitoring scheme No plan

National monitoring scheme 2011 Monitoring by hunters (round observations, mandatory monitoring in March)

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Need for population level management of large carnivores in the region

Need for population level management of large carnivores in the region, Djuro Huber,

Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb (VEF), LCIE

Cross-border management at the population-level is important for large carnivore species but

is very difficult to implement. The Dinaric-Pindos-Balkan bear population crosses 9 countries

and the wolf population 10 countries. This is perhaps the most international single large

carnivore population and the management of the population is therefore a significant

responsibility. Bear populations are variable but thanks to intervention can be considered to

be doing reasonably in Europe. Habitat fragmentation through infrastructure and now border

controls is a big threat. In the region, data collection is variable but generally compares

poorly to the rest of Europe – more collaboration would help to ensure monitoring crosses

borders. When looking at LC conservation it is important to distinguish between biological

and social carrying capacity for LC in a particular area. If there is a big difference between

these, we can expect to experience conflict so a goal should be to increase social carrying

capacity. A range of management actions need to be considered which should be

coordinated and compatible but do not need to be identical in different countries. These

include habitat management and managing infrastructure, livestock protection and working

together with hunters.

Examples of transboundary / regional cooperation and initiatives from the region and

other EU countries

Session chaired by Valeria Salvatori, IEA, LCIE

The aim of this session was to briefly present some examples of transboundary, regional

cooperation which could be used as inspiration for a larger-scale regional collaboration.

Presenters were asked to present the key activities, the agencies involved and whether

stakeholders are engaged in the project activities.

Support for the establishment of local stakeholder platforms on coexistence between

people and large carnivores, EU, Valeria Salvatori (LCIE)

EU-funded project running between 12.17-12.20. The project aims to 1) establish regional

platforms; 2) implement concrete actions for each platform and 3) carry out communication

actions to promote the platforms. It is important to make the distinction between the impact

caused by LC (number of sheep killed, etc.) and conflict which is based around groups of

people having opposing principles. Impacts should be minimised but this will not necessarily

solve conflicts alone. The current platforms are located in Italy (Grosseto and Trentino);

Romania (Harghita County) and Spain (Castilla y León). An intervention framework has been

created for the platforms and principles for the engagement of stakeholders and involvement

of the team. In all cases, background fact-finding missions have been carried out. The team

has found that trust between different groups is the most important issue to address.

Information is also important and some stakeholder groups feel that their expertise and

experience is not recognised. The stakeholders have so far been willing to engage in a

process. Tackling conflict requires an interdisciplinary approach and a team with varying

skills.

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Examples of cross-border cooperation through successful projects, Croatia and

Slovenia, Slaven Reljic (VEF)

Common management of bears is being carried out between Croatia and Slovenia with many

actions established under the LIFE DINALP BEAR project. This includes the following

actions: a common database to collect genetic data from bear faeces; active prevention and

resolution of damages; measures to reduce traffic accidents; habitat monitoring; health status

monitoring with gamekeepers taking samples directly from bears; increasing the value of the

bear through tourism measures. A second cross-border project which addresses all LC

species has been funded through Interreg. Carnivora Dinarica: Cross-border cooperation and

ecosystem services in the long-term preservation of large carnivores populations in the

northern Dinarides. The project aims to improve the conservation of all LC species in a

cross-border Natura 2000 forest area through a range of conservation, demonstration and

communication actions. Croatia and Slovenia also collaborate in the LIFELYNX project which

aims to reinforce the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population with reintroductions from the

Carpathians accompanied by a range of habitat management, conflict reduction and

communication measures.

Brown Bear Protection in the Dinarides, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro,

Aleksandar Perović, Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro (CZIP)

Collaboration between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro with technical input and

advice from Slovenia and Croatia. Working relations are being built up between the different

institutions involved in LC management and monitoring. This includes the ministries, hunting

associations, forest units, hiking clubs and volunteers. The project aims to establish good

monitoring systems and an understanding of the current populations, Bear management

plans, Bear Emergency Teams, publicity on bear management actions and a long lasting

collaboration for common management between countries. It is challenging engaging all,

governance structures are complex, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the

project has been successful so far in building trust and establishing a basis for collaboration.

Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme – a successful transboundary cooperation, Dime

Melovski, Macedonian Ecological Society (MES)

The programme started in 2006 with the aim for a recovery of a viable Balkan lynx

population. It aims to halt decline of the lynx, collect the necessary information for a

conservation programme, build professional capacity and create and atmosphere favourable

to its conservation through collaborations, public awareness and involvement. Population

monitoring has been carried out gathering information from local people, camera trapping

and radio telemetry. In 2007 presence was established from information from IR Cameras. In

2015, there were 20-39 mature Balkan lynx. It is considered critically endangered according

to the IUCN Red List. One successful action has been the inclusion of the Balkan lynx in

Appendix II of the Bern Convention following the proposal of Albania. Action plans have also

been agreed in some countries e.g. in Macedonia and Albania but have not been ratified by

the governments. The collaborations established under the project will be very important for

its future success.

Protected Areas for Nature and People: Bear-watching in NP Tara (Serbia) and NP

Biogradska Gora (Montenegro), Jelena Marojević (Parks Dinarides)

Protected areas (Pas) are expected to have an important role for bringing together social and

ecological benefits. The project is complex, bringing together partners from civil society, the

park authorities and WWF Adria. It was implemented in two different national parks in Serbia

and Montenegro. The project should increase public support to PAs, establish a monitoring

system in both parks and establish an action plan for LC including with stakeholder

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participation. One particular aim is to generate benefits for the local community by

encouraging bear watching. To do this, different groups were brought together. Hunters were

an important constituent.

LIFE EUROLARGECARNIVORES, EU, Luis Suárez (WWF)

Challenging, large-scale project, running from 2017-2022, trying to bring experiences

together, create a stakeholder network and mobilise and involve stakeholders. The approach

is to improve coexistence through communication and cooperation; foster transboundary

exchange building on best practices and use a transdisciplinary and inclusive approach to

engage stakeholders directly in the project approach. 16 countries are involved and 16

partners, mainly WWF offices. The LC species targeted, depend on the regional challenges.

So far, a website has been established, a communication plan and guidelines, stakeholder

maps and workshops in hotspot regions. A major conference was held in Goslar. The next

major activities will be a conference on livestock protection, publications, a workshop on

wildlife crime and trainings for stakeholders.

Break out groups discuss the potential for establishing a Dinara-Pindos-Balkan

regional large carnivore platform and workshop statement

Session chaired by Katrina Marsden, adelphi

The participants divided into three groups and discussed the following subjects:

1. What are the topics a platform in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region needs to address?

2. Which are the most important challenges that the platform will face?

3. Taking the EU Large Carnivore Platform as a role model: what should a platform in the

Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region look like?

Following the moderated discussions, one participant from each group reported back to the

plenary.

Participants were then asked to place a point on a scale to show their approval or not of the

idea of establishing a regional platform.

See Annex 3 for photo documentation and results of the break-out group discussions.

A statement was drafted based on the feedback from the break-out groups. This was read in

front of the Plenary and participants made suggestions for alterations. The statement (see

next chapter) was then approved by the participants.

Annette Spangenberg (EuroNatur) closed the workshop

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Conclusions and next steps

Workshop statement

The Dinara-Pindos-Balkan large carnivore population is shared by 10 countries and each of them holds at least two species of large carnivores. Only the presence of lynx is not confirmed in all countries. Large carnivore populations are very significant on the continental scale. However, threats to their conservation status are increasing such as large scale infrastructure projects. Such changes may also bring people into contact with large carnivores more frequently and lead to an increase in conflicts.

Conservation, monitoring and management of large carnivores varies significantly between the different countries in the region, which includes EU and non-EU member states. There are many smaller-scale collaborations which can be built upon. However, currently, no common platform exists on the regional level to discuss and co-ordinate transboundary management, deal with common threats and bring different interest groups together to prevent conflict from developing. This is regarded as a significant gap for long-term successful population-level management of large carnivores in the region.

Following the workshop, the participants agreed that establishing a regional Platform along the lines of the EU Platform is desirable. The following joint vision was agreed:

To support information exchange among countries and encourage management practices which promote coexistence and minimise, and where possible find solutions to, conflicts between human interests and the presence of large carnivore species in the Dinaric-Pindos-Balkan region, by exchanging knowledge and by working together in an open-ended, constructive and mutually respectful way.

The participants of the workshop suggest that a platform could start from the following principals, whilst acknowledging the current national differences in management approaches:

The existing relevant international legal framework, the Habitats Directive, the Bern Convention and the CITES convention should be used as a legal reference for management, as appropriate.

The management of large carnivores should be determined by sound scientific evidence integrating natural and social science, using the best available and reliable data. This should involve continued research, development and integration of monitoring methods involving key stakeholders in the data collection.

Socio-economic and cultural considerations and concerns shall be recognised. The platform participants should work together to improve coexistence between people and large carnivores, in particular, those people in rural areas living closest to them. The contribution of various economic activities providing incentives for conservation, should be recognised.

Statistics on large carnivores

> 3000 bears of Dinaric Pindos population, 2nd largest after the Carpathian population

> 3,900 wolves of Dinaric-Balkan population, the largest in Europe

120 -130 Dinaric lynx population, and only around 50 individuals of the Balkan lynx, the smallest and

most threatened native Eurasian lynx population

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Solutions to conflicts should be sought through constructive dialogue. If a broad participation/ involvement of all relevant stakeholders is sought on large carnivore management from an early stage, it is more likely to be successful than if policies are imposed from the top down without consultation. All stakeholders and public administrations from the different countries should be involved from the start, determining the platform objectives.

Transboundary cooperation is essential where large carnivore populations cross multiple boundaries. A population approach to large carnivore management is necessary to coordinate and target diverse local measures within a larger framework.

The participants identified the following objectives as a priority for the first discussions of the platform:

Coordinate and exchange information on management practices, policies and approaches across the region, including national and regional management plans, with the aim of achieving population-level objectives;

Support for international networking and exchange of experience between key stakeholders and authorities;

Capacity-building for management tasks relating to large carnivores;

Increased cross-border collaboration on monitoring such as standardised methods and protocols;

Establishing further cross-border projects to support the above;

Fundraising and finding concrete sources of finance to support activities and concrete actions needed for the future platform.

For this to be successful, neutral facilitation and human and financial capacity will be needed to support the establishment of the platform and in setting up guiding principles for future cooperation.

In order to realise these objectives, the participants invite and encourage the managing authorities in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo*1, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia to build on the conclusions reached at this workshop and, following the model of the EU Platform, to consider establishing a regional Platform on large carnivores to take these discussions further.

Workshop participants

6 November 2018

Next steps

It is clear that the majority of those participating in the workshop see the need for such a

platform. This workshop however, can only be regarded as a very first step in a long process.

There are many issues that need to be discussed further with representatives of other

stakeholders and managing authorities. The participants, noted that key stakeholder groups

representing rural groups such as farmers and hunters were not fully represented. If a

regional platform is established, the groups in society most affected by the presence of large

carnivores will need to be involved.

The organisers plan to continue discussions with a wider range of interest groups across the

region. The results will be shared on the internet so that all have the chance to discuss them

1 * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

16

widely with decision makers and civil society. In order to continue the process of exchange,

the organisers would like to establish a mailing group to encourage cooperation and

exchange of information between the respective countries.

On the EU level, the workshop will also be discussed at the Platform’s next plenary meeting

in 2019. The Platform will continue to monitor activities to establish a platform in the Dinaric-

Pindos-Balkan region. Where possible, opportunities to exchange information and share

experiences will be promoted.

17

Annex 1. Agenda

Table 2 Agenda of the 7th Regional Workshop of the EU Large Carnivore Platform

TIMING AGENDA ITEM* SPEAKERS

9:30-10:00 Arrival of participants, registration, coffee Conference room B2

10:00-10:10 Introduction and workshop aims

Andrea Štefan (the World

Wide Fund for Nature – WWF)

&

Annette Spangenberg

(EuroNatur)

10:10-11:00 Introduction to the ‘EU Platform on Coexistence

between People and Large Carnivores’

Platform members:

Luis Suárez (WWF),

Emmanuelle Mikosz

(European Landowners’

Association – ELO),

Roderick Enzerink (Federation

of Associations for Hunting

and Conservation of the EU –

FACE),

Anne Ollila (Reindeer Herders)

&

Valeria Salvatori (Large

Carnivore Initiative for Europe

– LCIE)

11:00-12:15

Overview from the neighbouring countries:

presentations from each country covering legal

framework, population size and monitoring,

human-large carnivore conflict and coexistence

Country representatives &

Andrea Štefan (WWF)

12:15-12:45 Coffee / snack

12:45-13:00 Need for population level management of large

carnivores in the region

Đuro Huber (Veterinary

Faculty of Zagreb – VEF,

LCIE)

18

TIMING AGENDA ITEM* SPEAKERS

13:00-13:45

Examples of transboundary / regional cooperation and initiatives from the region and other EU countries.

1. Support for the establishment of local stakeholder platforms on coexistence between people and large carnivores, EU

2. Examples of cross-border cooperation through successful projects, Croatia and Slovenia

3. Brown Bear Protection in the Dinarides, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro

4. Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme – a successful transboundary cooperation

5. Protected Areas for Nature and People: Bear-watching in NP Tara (Serbia) and NP Biogradska Gora (Montenegro)

6. LIFE EUROLARGECARNIVORES, EU

Introduced by Valeria Salvatori

(IEA, LCIE)

1. Valeria Salvatori (IEA,

LCIE)

2. Slaven Reljic (VEF)

3. Aleksandar Perović (CZIP)

4. Dime Melovski (MES)

5. Jelena Marojević (Parks

Dinarides)

6. Luis Suárez (WWF)

13:45-15:00

Interactive session:

Break out groups discuss the potential for

establishing a Dinara-Pindos-Balkan regional

large carnivore platform:

1. What are the topics a platform in the Dinara-

Pindos-Balkan region needs to address?

2. Which are the most important challenges

that the platform will face?

3. Taking the EU Large Carnivore Platform as

a role model: what should a platform in the

Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region look like?

Presentation of the results of the break-out

groups

Introduced by Katrina Marsden

(EU Large Carnivore Platform

Secretariat)

Facilitated by hosts & EU

Large Carnivore Platform

members and Secretariat

15:00-16:00 Conference lunch

16:00-16:30 Agreement of joint findings: workshop statement

EU Large Carnivore Platform

members:

Luis Suárez (WWF),

Emmanuelle Mikosz (ELO) &

supported by Katrina Marsden

19

TIMING AGENDA ITEM* SPEAKERS

and Katharina Brandt (EU

Large Carnivore Platform

Secretariat)

16:30-17:30 Poster session and informal exchange over

refreshments

All participants

20

Annex 2. Participants list

Table 3 Participants of the 7th regional workshop of the EU Large Carnivore Platform.

NO. NAME ORGANIZATION

1 Aleksandar Perović

Center for Protection and Research of Birds in Montenegro (CZIP)

2 Aleksander Trajce

Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA)

3 Aleksandra-Anja Dragomirović

Center for Environment Bosnia and Herzegovina (CZZS)

4 Alexandra Kavvadia

LIFE-IP 4 NATURA, representing the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy

5 Amarildo Mulic Una National Park

6 Andrea Štefan WWF Adria

7 Andreas Götz Charity Consulting AG

8 Anne Ollila Reindeer Herders

9 Annette Spangenberg

EuroNatur Stiftung

10 Antonija Bišćan Ministry of Agriculture of Croatia

11 Barbara Burčul Ministry of Environment and Energy of Croatia

12 Bardh Sanaja Environmentally Responsible Action (ERA) Group

13 Bledi Hoxha Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA)

14 Cábak Mladen Hunting Association of Montenegro

15 Čeda Ivanović Natural History Museum of Montenegro

16 Dime Melovski Macedonian Ecological Society

17 Djuro Huber University of Zagreb, Veterinary Faculty

18 Dusko Cirovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology

19 Elena Tsingarka Balkani Wildlife Society

20 Emmanuelle Mikosz

European Landowners' Organization

21 Genti Kromidha Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA)

22 Gjorge Ivanov Geonatura ltd

23 Goran Sekulić WWF Adria

21

NO. NAME ORGANIZATION

24 Hanna Nurmi Reindeer Herders

25 Haris Hadžihajdarević

Una National Park

26 Igor Trbojević University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faculty of Science

27 Ismail Hetemaj Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Kosovo

28 Jelena Koprivica Nature and Environment Protection Agency of Montenegro

29 Jelena Marojević Parks Dinarides

30 Katharina Brandt EU Large Carnivore Platform Secretariat (adelphi)

31 Katrina Marsden EU Large Carnivore Platform Secretariat (adelphi)

32 Luis Suárez WWF Spain

33 Mareike Brix EuroNatur Stiftung

34 Marijana Josipović

National Park Tara

35 Marina Durovic National parks of Montenegro

36 Miloš Janković Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro

37 Mitra Marčeta National Park Una

38 Pinija Poljaković WWF Adria

39 Roderick Enzerink

European Federation for Hunting and Conservation

40 Slaven Reljic University of Zagreb, Veterinary Faculty

41 Slobodan Detić Nature Park Diva

42 Stiliyan Geraskov Union of hunters and anglers in Bulgaria (UHAB)

43 Tijana Trbojević Ecological Research Association (EID)

44 Valeria Salvatori International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) / Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (IEA)

45 Vesna Maksimovic

WWF Adria

46 Vlatko Trpeski Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of Macedonia

47 Zamir Dedej National Agency for Protected Areas

48 Yorgos Mertzanis EU Large Carnivore Platform Secretariat (Callisto)

22

Annex 3. Break out groups results

This session aimed to examine the main challenges faced with large carnivore management

in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region and if and how a regional platform could help to tackle

these challenges.

Each group was asked to examine a separate problematic. At the same time, as considering

the overarching question:

Where do you see the strengths and benefits of a Dinara-Pindos-Balkan regional large

carnivore platform i.e. what types of issue could such a platform address?

Groups were allocated (coloured sticker on name badge) to ensure a mixture of country

representatives and experiences in each group.

The groups had an hour to discuss. A participant was then asked to report back to the

plenary in 5 minutes.

The outputs of the group were used to draft the statement on the workshop outcomes which

was discussed and agreed with the plenary.

23

GROUP 1: What are the topics a platform in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region needs to

address?

Moderated by Emmanuelle Mikosz (ELO) and Annette Spangenberg (EuroNatur)

Figure 1 Topics a Platform should address.

24

GROUP 2: Which are the most important challenges that the platform will face?

Moderated by Andrea Štefan (WWF) and Roderick Enzerink (FACE)

Figure 2 Challenges a platform will face.

25

Figure 3 Challenges a platform will face: political and social challenges.

26

Figure 4 Reasons to create a regional platform.

27

GROUP 3: Taking the EU Large Carnivore Platform as a role model: what should a platform

in the Dinara-Pindos-Balkan region look like?

Moderated by Luis Suárez and Katharina Brandt

Figure 5 The EU Platform as a model.

28

ALL: Views on establishing a platform

All participants placed dot representing no support (- on the left) to full support (+ on the

right)

Figure 6 Do you support the idea of establishing a Dinara-Pindos-Balkan

regional large carnivore platform?

29

Annex 3. Pictures

Figure 7 Plenary session of the 7th regional workshop of the EU Large

Carnivore Platform.

Figure 8 Participants of the 7th regional workshop of the EU Large

Carnivore Platform.

30

Figure 9 Poster session.

Figure 10 Break out group.