New study on large carnivores commissioned by the European Parliament

"Large Carnivore Management Plans of Protection: Best Practices in EU Member States"

Kuva: Craig Jones Wildlife Photography

This paper analyses the legal framework on large carnivores – brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), wolf (Canis lupus), wolverine (Gulo gulo) - and their current management within the EU are presented. Additionally, the best coexistence methods obtained from research and EU-funded projects are compiled. A thorough analysis of the conditions for derogations under the Habitats Directive is followed by the implications of the current management. A general review and recommendations are made.

The study demonstrates that lethal management has no or little effect or even counter-expected effects on mitigating livestock depredations unless the carnivore population is reduced to such levels that are incompatible with the mandate of the Habitats Directives and recommends an alternative model based on scientific principles, efficient compensation schemes used in conjunction with non-lethal preventive measures and strictly evaluated derogations.

Authors: Alberto FERNÁNDEZ-GIL ,Duarte CADETE DA ROCHA PEREIRA ,Sara Maria DIAS FERREIRA PINTO, Ilaria DI SILVESTRE

Access PDF: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2018/596844/IPOL_STU(2018)596844_EN.pdf