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LECA

Project overview

Supporting the coexistence and conservation of Carpathian LargE CArnivores

The Carpathians are home to large populations of lynx, wolfs and bears. In recent years, conflicts between large carnivores and humans have increased, but no one knows if this is due to growing populations because data are not collected in a harmonised way across borders. The LECA project introduces a consistent and efficient monitoring approach, which involves local stakeholders. It will result in up-to-date population information, coupled with effective conflict prevention measures.

2,93m €

Project Budget

80%

of the Budget is funded by ERDF

Layer 1

6

Countries

11

Regions

12

Partners

4

Pilots

Duration

Start date

End date

Project progress

22%

About the project

Large carnivores are key components of forest ecosystems in the Carpathians, hosting one of the most abundant native populations of lynx, wolf and bear in Europe. However, whether populations are stable or growing is unclear as data are not collected in a harmonised way across borders, with no shared regulations and policies on large carnivores conservation (eg. poaching prevention), and no shared understanding and coordination between stakeholders. Clear is, however, that perceived and real conflicts between humans and large carnivores are on the rise. In order to promote coexistence with local stakeholders, to enable viable large carnivores population structures, natural expansion and recolonisation of large carnivores, to establish evidence-based and coordinated practices in the Carpathian countries, and to contravene misconceptions, LECA wants to to raise awareness, educate, engage and influence target groups such as hunters, foresters, farmers, livestock and beekeepers, police investigators (poaching), ministries, municipalities and the broad public. The project aims are (1) a consistent and efficient monitoring approach involving local stakeholders; (2) up-to-date population information in cross-border regions; (3) effective conflict prevention measures to be rolled-out at Carpathian level; and (4) an improved participative cooperation of key actors at local, regional and transnational level. A Thematic Guidance on large carnivores conservation and coexistence in the Carpathians will be created and validated via pilot actions in cross-border pilots (Tatras (SK/PL), East Carpathians (SK/PL/UA), Slovak Karst - North HU Mountains (SK/HU), Beskydy-Kysuce (CZ/SK)) and reference areas (SL/RO), driving pilot area strategies, national recommendations and an IT app for the public. The Guidance will cover novel, unified tools for harmonised Monitoring, Poaching investigation and Conflict prevention.

Project partnership

Project partners

Česko (CZ)

Lead partner

Mendel University in Brno

Department of Forest Ecology
Address
Zemědělská 1
613 00 Brno
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
www.mendelu.cz

Project partner

Address
Usypiskowa 11
02-386 Warszawa
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
www.wwf.pl
Total partner budget
176,908 €
Address
Medená 101/5
811 02 Bratislava
Country
Slovakia (SK)
Web
https://slovakia.panda.org/
Total partner budget
288,581 €
Address
Álmos vezér útja 69/A
1141 Budapest
Country
Hungary (HU)
Web
https://wwf.hu/
Total partner budget
278,499 €
Faculty of Forestry/Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management
Address
T. G. Masaryka 24
960 01 Zvolen
Country
Slovakia (SK)
Web
https://www.tuzvo.sk/en
Total partner budget
317,406 €
Természetmegőrzési Osztály (Nature Conservation Department)
Address
Sánc 6.
3411 Eger
Country
Hungary (HU)
Web
www.bnpi.hu
Total partner budget
103,335 €
Address
Kuźnice 1
34-500 Zakopane
Country
Poland (PL)
Web
www.tpn.pl
Total partner budget
256,576 €
Address
Tajovského 28 B
974 01 Banská Bystrica
Country
Slovakia (SK)
Web
www.sopsr.sk
Total partner budget
339,951 €
Address
Dolní náměstí 38
77900 Olomouc
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
www.selmy.cz
Total partner budget
220,346 €
Department of Species Protection and Implementation of International Commitments
Address
Vršovická 1442/65
100 10 Prague 10
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
https://www.mzp.cz/
Total partner budget
294,606 €
Address
Mihai Viteazul 44/63/E/10
500187 Brasov
Country
Romania (RO)
Web
www.zarand.org
Total partner budget
109,612 €
Address
Večna pot 2
1001 Ljubljana
Country
Slovenia (SI)
Web
http://www.zgs.si/
Total partner budget
189,078 €

Roadmap

1

Setting the scene

Setting the scene for large carnivore (LC) conservation in the Carpathians includes (1) analysis on current monitoring practices; (2) status report on existing LC population data in pilot areas; (3) analysis on current status of poaching investigations; (4) analysis on current conflict prevention practices between humans and LCs.

2

Exchange and pre-validation of knowledge

Expert consultations include (1) series of consultations on the LC analyses (monitoring, poaching, conflict prevention) with Carpathian Convention Working Group Biodiversity and with Alpine Convention; (2) draft guidances on monitoring, poaching investigation, conflict prevention to be validated in pilot areas.

3

Joint preparation of pilot actions

Detailed Pilot Action plans one for each area are prepared and peer-reviewed by partners, building on the results of previous activities.

4

Establishment of stakeholder platforms

In order to foster communication between the Pilots and local communities we establish cross-border stakeholder platforms in each Pilot Area that will hold regular consultations.

5

Widening the reachout

Increasing awareness and engagement includes (1) stakeholder engagement using new IT solutions; (2) awareness raising events of LCs based on project outputs and results for the national public.

6

Implementation of Pilot Actions

Reports on the results of Pilot Actions implemented on the monitoring, conflict prevention and poaching in pilot areas: Bear in the Tatra Mountains (SK, PL), lynx in the East Carpathians (PL, SK), lynx in the Slovak Karst (SK, HU), wolf in the Western Carpathians (CZ, SK).

7

Assessments in reference areas and Synthesis of the results

Synthesis of the results of the pilot actions and formulation of strategies includes (1) reports on Reference Areas (SL, RO); (2) joint synthesis of pilot results from pilot areas to feed back into guidelines; (3) local info days at events in Pilot Areas to present pilot action result.

8

Elaboration of strategies

Elaboration of peer reviewed strategies includes the following activities such as (1) peer reviewed draft local strategies created through workshop; (2) finalised Pilot area level strategies based on ground-proven guidelines on large carnivore conservation in monitoring, poaching investigation and conflict prevention; (3) memorandum of understanding.

9

Exchange and final validation of pilot results

Final validation of results includes (1) concluding consultations on the validated LC guidances on monitoring, poaching investigation, conflict prevention with the Carpathian Convention and with the Alpine Convention; (2) joint thematic meeting to agree on three finalised guidelines.

10

Channeling project knowledge to education

Educational activities include (1) the development of training programs in large carnivore conflict prevention for hunters in order to make their encounters with LCs conflict-free; (2) creation of university teaching material in order to spread knowledge about the main project findings.

11

Bringing project results to national policy levels

Bringing project results to national policy levels includes (1) a series of national roundtable discussions to engage policymakers into formulation of recommendations; (2) national recommendations on LC conservation; (3) national endorsement of national recommendations.

12

Transnational recommendations and updates

Trans-border activities include (1) revision of the Carpathian Convention Action Plan on LCs; (2) European level recommendations to Agricultural and Fisheries Council on cross-border, transnational and European harmonisation of monitoring, poaching investigation and conflict prevention of LCs based on validated guidances; (3) webinars on LCs organised at the transnational level.

News

Let’s identify the most pressing problems

P2 Green

NEWS

20.11.2023

Let’s identify the most pressing problems

On November 20th, the first of a series of the LECA project consultations with members of the Carpathian Convention will take place! The project partners have had half a year of intensive cooperation on initial analyses of the large carnivore populations in the Carpathians. It is time to identify ...

Events

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LECA

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Project Contacts

Project Manager

Martin Duľa
Phone: +420770137635

Finance Manager

Petra Doleželová
Phone: +420777812052

Communication Manager

Lenka Kissová
Phone: +420735075304