Protection, management and monitoring of the wolf population in SLovakia Jozef Doczy Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic

The Carpathian Mountains

Spreading of the wolf population 1984 - 2015

Damages caused by wolf in EUR 1984 - 2015 Year sheeps goats cattles rabbits hunting game Summary

Slovakia harbours well established populations of lynx, bear and the wolf 300 - 600 wolves 800 bears 400 lynx All expert estimates based on preliminary population surveys

Legal status in the past and today In 2004, Slovakia joined the European Union and has adopted a system of nature conservation of NATURA 2000. According to the Habitats Directive the wolf is included in Annexes II, IV and V. According to Annex II, Slovakia has the obligation to designate special areas of conservation for the wolf. Sites of Community importance for wolves and other species included in Appendix 2 have been designated on 1 August 2004. The Slovak Republic has, however has an exception from the strict protection of the wolf, which is declared in Annex IV of the Directive. The exception is also declared in Annex V – animal species of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures

Introduction of hunting qoutas For the hunting season 2013 - 2014 a quota for 80 wolves was set, but because of the newly introduced hunting regulations only 29 individuals were shot. N +9 +21 + 18 - 52

Monitoring of wolf population Monitoring and management are interactive processes. The precondition for effective protection and rational management, namely to determine hunting quotas, are information on the distribution and abundance of the species. Estimate of the total population size in the case of the wolf is rather complicated process requiring appropriate methodology, great human potential, financial security, well-prepared design and logistics for the collection of field data. Goal of wolf monitoring from the hunters point of wiev – not to stop hunting Wolf hunting is a part of hunting tradition in Slovakia 8 8

The basic question for the spreading population and consequently for setting quotas What happens to the puppies when the population is stable – natural mortality Generally – according to the area - two approaches: 1/ monitoring of a selected area 2/ monitoring of the whole country 9 9

Concluding remarks 1/2 ●Slovakia harbours well established and healthy core wolf population, which is partially shared with neighbouring Countries. We sustains thriving and genetically diverse wolf population which serves as a gene pool for neighbouring countries including the Czech Republic, Poland, the Ukraine and Hungary ●Cross border cooperation should include mainly monitoring of the wolf population and the cross-fertilization of experiences. This should prevent further misunderstanding among neighbouring countries ●It is questionable if dispersing wolves from Slovakia to the Pannonia lowland will be able to set up a viable population especially in farmlands where many conflicts with livestock breeders can be expected

Concluding remarks 2/2 ● Setting annual hunting quotas is a very effective tool for sustainable management of the wolf population based on the latest knowledge of species status and all other needs of human society. It means that we appreciate the setting quotas as the best way of management of wolf population because of its flexibility with the possibility to take into account the latest data about the status of the population ● Based on up-to-date information, hunters expect the possibility to continue in hunting wolves especially in areas where their numbers considerably increased, and where they cause damage on livestock and game ● Based on observation of our hunter managers, wolf when it is not managed (hunted) is losing its natural shyness and respect for humans ● In the case mentioned in the previous point, and eventually when there are large packs of wolves, it can eat not only the weakest individuals of its prey but also any individual game (mainly red deer) regardless it health condition.

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