Citizen science contribution to national wolf population monitoring: what have we learned?

Abstract

Evidence-based management of large carnivores is a crucial step towards their effective conservation. However, monitoring of these populations is demanding and generally requires substantial fieldwork effort. Lately, citizen science has become an increasingly important part of wildlife monitoring, but can that endanger studied species? In this paper, we describe our experiences with recruiting and involving volunteers in annual howling surveys of grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) population in Slovenia and present the framework about the use of citizens for collecting data. Huge effort of participants in seven year long monitoring at a national-scale has yielded a total of 116 wolf vocal responses, including 53 confirmed litters. Annually between 5 and 12 reproductive packs were detected and an increasing trend in wolf population

Wildlife roadkill and COVID‐19: A biologically significant, but heterogeneous, reduction

“…The study was performed throughout Slovenia, a central European country covering a surface area of 20,273 km 2 which harbours a complex assemblage of mammals including high densities of large ungulates and carnivores (Linnell et al, 2020; Ražen et al, 2020; Skrbinšek et al, 2019; Stergar et al, 2009). Due to the absence of large, urbanized areas, a rich network of protected areas and good environmental connectivity, these species live side‐by‐side with humans throughout most of the country.…”

Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer–vehicle collisions into perspective

“…The study area covered the entire land area of Slovenia, a central European country spanning over 20,273 km 2 , characterized by a complex assemblage of mammals, including high densities of large carnivores and ungulates (Ražen et al, 2020; Skrbinšek et al, 2019; Stergar et al, 2009). There are no large urbanized areas in Slovenia, and environmental connectivity between undisturbed habitat patches makes wildlife prone to live alongside with humans and susceptible to collision with vehicles (Pokorny, 2006; Pokorny et al, 2022).…”

Managing Wolves is Managing Narratives: Views of Wolves and Nature Shape People’s Proposals for Navigating Human-Wolf Relations

“…Participation of relevant stakeholders, mainly in the European alpine region, is realized by the project LIFE Wolfalps EU which investigates human-wolf coexistence in their countries, informs about large carnivores, creates platforms for exchange, and supports livestock owners (LIFE Wolf Alps EU 2021;Oliveira et al, 2021). Citizen science and e-participation are promising methods to gather more information on wolves and attitudes toward them and generate publicly acceptable solutions, although it is virtually impossible to accommodate everyone's interests (Stevens et al, 2012;Salo et al, 2017;Ražen et al, 2020;Marino et al, 2021).…”