Launching the monitoring of large carnivores in Krušné hory: Will volunteers confirm the presence of wolves?
20.1.2017, Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (Hnutí DUHA) and Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, Administration of PLA Slavkovský les
Camera traps in the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) have recorded a dog-like animal, most likely a wolf. Friends of the Earth CZ (Hnutí DUHA Olomouc) helped by the volunteers of Wolf Patrols and in partnership with the state nature conservation agency are monitoring the wider area of Krušné hory since autumn 2016, searching for any occurrence signs of large carnivores, particularly wolves and the Eurasian lynx. The conservationists have just shared first camera trap images.
Friends of the Earth CZ (Hnutí DUHA) organize a weekend course for people interested in the monitoring of large carnivores on 20 – 22 January in Vejprty. Volunteers joining the Wolf Patrols will get interesting information about the presence of wolves, lynx and other specially protected species in the Krušné hory. Anyone can join here.
Prospective volunteers will learn essential facts about the life of elusive wolves, lynx and bears, their role in the ecosystem and the area of their occurrence. They will also receive a basic training in field monitoring and protection of these rare animals. Presentations will be given by large carnivore experts of Friends of the Earth CZ (Hnutí DUHA) and Administration of PLA Slavkovský les.
Volunteer patrols monitor the area where the large carnivores are known or expected to live. Their presence also helps to deter any potential poachers. An important part of monitoring is the collection of scat and hair samples for genetic and diet analysis, and identification of promising locations where camera traps could be installed. The data obtained in the field are used by the state nature conservation agency and by Czech and German scientists who work together on the sample analyses. Friends of the Earth CZ (Hnutí DUHA) – an organization long-term involved in the monitoring of large carnivores in the Czech Republic – also collects reports of any observations and findings (e.g. prints, droppings or photographs) from foresters, hunters, and the general public. Any observations may be sent to stopy@selmy.cz. Information from foresters and hunters is particularly important for mapping of large carnivores. They are in the forest every day and may notice a number of tracks.
Extensive forests of the Krušné hory offer an ideal habitat for wolves and lynx – there are secluded areas for resting and breeding and plenty of potential prey, such as red deer. Large carnivores contribute to the recovery of the entire ecosystem by regulating the overpopulated ungulate species. Conservationists expect that the monitoring of large carnivores will provide comprehensive data on their presence in the western part of the Czech Republic near the German border. Sporadic information on the occurrence of wolves and lynx in the Krušné hory have been coming over the last few years but until now no systematic monitoring has taken place.
Miroslav Kutal, a large carnivore expert of Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (Hnutí DUHA Olomouc), explains:
“By organizing the training for new volunteers, we respond to the demand of local people who would like to participate in the monitoring of large carnivores. We are very pleased that they show such interest. Another incentive came from the fact that more or less reliable information about the presence of wolves in the Krušné hory started to emerge more often over the last year. We have a new photo from the camera trap which provides a strong clue in this respect, although a definite identification of the species is not possible due to the low quality of the picture and the fact that it captures only the front part of animal’s body. We hope that the first monitoring of large carnivores in the Krušné hory will bring more accurate evidence of the permanent wolf presence in the area. We will also try to confirm the relationship with German and Polish populations which have been expanding successfully over the past ten years.”
Miloš Holub from the regional office of Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (Administration of PLA Slavkovský les) added:
“Wolves are an important part of our landscape. They are efficient hunters thus helping to regulate overpopulated ungulates which cause considerable damage to farmers and forest managers. Large carnivores improve the health of roe and fallow deer, mouflon and wild boar populations by selecting weak and sick animals as their prey.”
Contacts:
Miroslav Kutal, Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (Hnutí DUHA, local organization Olomouc), miroslav.kutal@hnutiduha.cz
Miloš Holub, regional office of Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic – Administration of PLA Slavkovský les, milos.holub@nature.cz
Jan Piňos, media and communications at Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (Hnutí DUHA), jan.pinos@hnutiduha.cz
