Wolf appeal

CARPATHIAN WOLF WATCH:

Keeping an independent eye on Slovakia's wolves

The Carpathian Mountains are home to spectacular landscapes and wildlife, including the grey wolf. Wolves have been feared and persecuted for centuries, but research has shown that their reputation is mostly undeserved. Wolf 'packs' are typically family groups and their preferred food is large hooved animals such as deer and wild boar, although they sometimes attack livestock, especially if wild prey is scarce.

Greater understanding of the beneficial effects of wolves in ecosystems has led to progress in conservation. However, in several countries wolf hunting is still legal. In Slovakia, hunters have been allowed to kill between 70 and 150 wolves each year. The impact this has on the population is largely unknown because of insufficient research and monitoring. The Carpathian Wolf Watch project is working to change this, and you can help!

The project uses a combination of tracking, camera trapping and genetic analysis to determine the numbers of wolves and packs in the area and the effects of hunting. Results have shown that population estimates provided by hunters and previously used by government agencies to set hunting quotas were over-estimated by 700%! On the other hand, some environmental activists substantially under-estimated wolf numbers. This highlights the crucial role of objective, independent research in underpinning conservation policy.

Trained volunteers, local people and students help collect genetic samples, which are then analysed by leading experts at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. The results are presented to the official commission that sets annual quotas for wolf hunting. In this way, the project is helping to ensure that hunting is kept within sustainable limits.

Genetic analysis provides unprecedented insights and powerful arguments, but it is expensive. In order to continue this vital work, we need to raise 20,000 EUR to pay for the next round of genetic analyses. Please help us to reach this goal.

How you can help