Wolves and Humans Foundation

There are just two places left on week 3 of White Wilderness 2025, now just a couple of months away. Join us tracking wolves and lynx in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, and take part in a long-running citizen science project. Click on the link to book ( unless you’ve seen enough snow already this winter 😀) https://lnkd.in/gYEyC85E

The Large Carnivore Initiative (LCIE) has issued a statement on the recent decision by the European Union to reduce protection for the wolf under the Bern Convention, calling it "premature and faulty". You can read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3CoW1sC

Dr Robert Mysłajek from our partner organisation in Poland, Association for Nature “Wolf”, will be giving a lecture in London on 22nd November, entitled “Post-Human Relationality: Protecting Wolves in a Human-Dominated Europe”. The event is free and is a great opportunity to learn about the opportunities and challenges of human/wildlife coexistence in Poland and the EU. For more details and to book, click the link: https://lnkd.in/d6Tin5b5

In a landscape torn between harmony and conflict, 'The Wolf Within' delves deep into the relationship between wolves and humans in Europe. Through the lens of diverse characters, the film unveils the fragile balance of nature and the need for coexistence. As wolves face an uncertain future, their journey intertwines with the resilience of communities, offering a poignant reflection on the essence of cohabitation in the modern world. https://lnkd.in/eqYWh_Vi

A recently published paper casts further doubt on whether the effect of wolves on deer behaviour is sufficient to reduce browsing pressure - the so-called 'landscape of fear'. Evidence suggests that predation by multiple species, including wolves, reducing deer numbers is the primary cause of vegetation recovery in Yellowstone National Park. This has implications for proposals to reintroduce wolves to Scotland to reduce over-browsing by deer. In our view, wolves (or lynx) on their own are not the answer to the UK's deer problem, but should be considered as a useful addition to the toolbox of deer management. Perhaps the biggest benefit of bringing back wolves is that it would demonstrate a long-term commitment to much-needed landscape-scale nature recovery, due to their need for large connected natural or semi-natural areas. https://lnkd.in/gV9j7ffn

VOLUNTEER TRACKERS WANTED. Join a citizen science project monitoring populations of wolves and lynx in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, and help gather vital data to ensure sustainable management of these species. You can join for one, two or three weeks. No previous experience is necessary. A contribution to project costs is payable. Places are still available for January/ February 2025. For dates and to book your place, click the link. https://lnkd.in/dc2SNt6y (Photo: Lynx tracks on a log.)

Wolves and Humans director Richard Morley, and Robin Rigg of our partner organisation The Slovak Wildlife Society gave a talk on ‘Can wolves help manage deer numbers’ to a packed audience at the Forestry Commission ‘Managing Deer Across the English Landscape’ conference today. It was a great opportunity to speak to an audience not already converted to the idea of large carnivores returning to the British landscape. We had some very interesting conversations with a range of stakeholders and policymakers during the breaks, including deer stalkers, foresters, and Forestry Commission and Natural England staff. Thank you to the Forestry Commission and Alastair Boston in particular for having the vision to invite us and broaden the conversation around deer management. (Robin Rigg pictured).

Wolves and Humans director Richard Morley will be speaking alongside Robin Rigg of the Slovak Wildlife Society about the impact of wolves on deer numbers, at “Managing Deer Across the English Landscape”, a one-day conference organised by the Forestry Commission. The event takes place on Tuesday October 1st in Liphook, Hampshire. Tickets are available here: https://lnkd.in/dPGyRfUg

It’s International Wolf Day today. Why not make a difference for wolves by booking your place on White Wilderness: Carpathian Wolf Watch, a long-running citizen science project monitoring wolf numbers in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia. Learn to track wolves and lynx in the snow and experience winter in beautiful mountain scenery, coming home each afternoon to warm Slovak hospitality. Places are available for January/February 2025 - you can join for one, two or three weeks.

A well balanced article about coexistence between wolves and people in northern Portugal. Attitudes towards wolves tend to be more positive where there has been a continuous history of coexistence, and where the tradition of using livestock guarding dogs to protect flocks has been maintained. What lessons can be learned to revive this culture (most countries in Europe have their own traditional livestock guarding dog breeds) where wolves are returning after a sometimes long absence?