BASIC INFORMATION
TITLE: Monitoring of Wolves in the Czech–Polish Border Region
Programme: Interreg Czech Republic – Poland 2021–2027
START DATE: 1 March 2025
END DATE: 31 August 2028
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: The project is co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg programme (ERDF).
TOTAL BUDGET: €829.6 thousand
ERDF CONTRIBUTION: €663.7 thousand
WEBSITE: https://www.cz-pl.eu/
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Wolves are gradually returning to areas where they were historically exterminated, including the Czech–Polish border region. Livestock farming remains widespread in this area, which leads to frequent wolf attacks on unprotected herds. This causes tensions between local residents and institutions responsible for the protection of endangered species. At the same time, the region includes valuable natural areas where forests suffer from excessive browsing by ungulates, and the return of natural predators is therefore desirable.
The return of wolves faces low acceptance among local communities, who often lack sufficient information about ecological contexts and are influenced by one-sided media reports. Nature conservation authorities have limited capacity to respond quickly to arising issues, and wolf monitoring is both financially and organisationally demanding, mainly due to their large territories extending beyond administrative borders. The transboundary nature of wolf territories therefore creates an opportunity for international cooperation. The project focuses on coordinated monitoring of wolf territories along the Czech–Polish border.
Non-invasive methods will be used to determine population structure and estimate population size. In selected areas, GPS telemetry will be applied to provide precise data on wolf habitat use, their impact on ungulates, and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the project is to ensure coordinated monitoring of wolf territories in the Czech–Polish border region using robust methods that will provide accurate estimates of wolf numbers, their dynamics, dispersal, and the extent of conflicts. A partial objective is to present the results to local residents, tourists, nature conservation authorities, and forest managers, thereby contributing to conflict mitigation and improved acceptance of wolves. The project also supports a more coordinated approach to nature conservation in the border region.
Wolves represent a model species for developing coordinated approaches to nature conservation, as their territories often extend across national borders. This means that similar conflicts may arise on both sides of the border and must be addressed cooperatively, with regular information exchange. Communication and knowledge-sharing regarding specific issues are key to effective protection and management of large carnivores.
PARTNERS
Mendel University in Brno, Stołowe Mountains National Park (Park Narodowy Gór Stołowych), based in Kudowa-Zdrój
