E: Public Awareness and Dissemination of Results - Life lynx

LIFE Lynx Final Conference successfully wrapped up

Maja Sever — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:36:42 +0000

This week, the largest ever European lynx conference was convened in Zadar, hosted by the oldest Croatian university, where more than 150 scientists and experts dedicated to lynx research and protection came together. The conference was organized by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb in collaboration with the BIOM association in the scope of the LIFE Lynx project. At the beginning, Professor Slaven Zjalić, the vicerector of the University of Zadar, extended a gracious welcome to the participants, joined by Rok Černe, the coordinator of the LIFE Lynx project, and Associate Professor Magda Sindičić the coordinator of the LIFE Lynx project implementation in Croatia.

Magda Sindičić, welcomed the Conference participants. Photo: Melani Glavinič, LIFE Lynx

Through a series of presentations on activities and results, the partners showcased how the LIFE Lynx project successfully halted the extinction of the lynx population in the Dinarides through international efforts. This achievement was made possible by the collaboration of scientists with hunters, foresters, managers of protected areas, and the local inhabitants. The most significant outcome of the project’s implementation is the translocation of 18 lynxes from Slovakia and Romania into Croatia and Slovenia. The exceptionally successful project implementation is substantiated by multiple recorded reproductions of translocated lynxes . Recently, it was confirmed that one of the translocated males, lynx Goru, has already become a grandfather.

Guest lecturer Dr. Seth M. Wilson, director of the non-governmental organization BlackFoot Challenge in the United States, stated: ‘’From my perspective, the heart of the success of this project was the commitment by LIFE partners to work with local people and communities who share the same habitat with lynx.’’

LIFE Lynx final conference participants in front of the Zadar University building. Photo: Melani Glavinić, LIFE Lynx

On the second day, participants visited Paklenica National Park, where one of the reintroduced lynxes, the male Alojzije, has established its territory. The warm welcome from the Park and the stunning natural surroundings allowed for a full day of enjoyment at the visitor center and guided walks to Manita peć cave, the forester’s lodge, and the Paklenica mountain hut.

Field trip to Paklenica National Park, where translocated lynx Alojzije was released into nature. Photo: Maja Sever, LIFE Lynx

“For the past six years, the entire team of the LIFE Lynx project has dedicated exceptional efforts to secure the future of lynxes in this part of Europe. We are grateful to everyone who supported us, especially all the collaborators who participated in data collection, as well as the public and the media who cheered for our reintroduced lynxes. With this conference, we conclude and celebrate our collective work. We believe that in recent years, we have demonstrated how the successful management of a protected species can be achieved through a combination of scientifically grounded activities and respect for the interests of all stakeholders. Now, we hope that all institutions responsible for the protection of lynxes and their habitats will assume their share of responsibility and continue successful management based on the foundations we have laid,” stated Associate Professor Magda Sindičić.

The post LIFE Lynx Final Conference successfully wrapped up first appeared on Life lynx.

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E.1 Promotion Through Consultative Groups

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:34:36 +0000

Promotion of the Lynx Population Reinforcement and Long-term Conservation Through Local Consultative Groups

Within this multidisciplinary and complex project, we aim to build and maintain public support for lynx recovery and its long-term conservation by ensuring early and sustained public participation in the project activities. Key stakeholders, such as hunters, farmers, municipality and environmental association representatives and other interested publics, are all part of the local communities where lynx will be released. Therefore their cooperation and participation is crucial in supporting lynx conservation actions. These stakeholders will be invited to form Local Consultative Groups (LCG) where they will be regularly informed and consulted about all aspects of the project. Members of LCGs will give input on project activities, especially those related to lynx management and communication, and will share project results with the wider community at special local meetings. These meetings will be an important mechanism for regular information sharing and consultations among different interests in specific local communities. We expect that they will help to prevent and resolve potential conflicts and will generate trust among members of different interest groups.

As a result of this process of public involvement in lynx reinforcement, consultation reports will be developed. They will contain a description of the social conditions (challenges, opportunities) at each lynx release site area and recommendations for the future releases or release site management.

Project outputs

E.2 Hunter Participation

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:08:11 +0000

Hunter Participation Through Partnerships

The overall goal of this action is to ensure the active engagement of hunters throughout the evolution of the project, especially in activities where they are directly involved. We will educate hunters about lynx ecology, biology, and conservation and promote and value the role of hunters as key partners in the LIFE Lynx project for sustaining long-term lynx recovery. Hunters will be educated and kept closely informed about the project’s progress to maintain their engagement throughout the project and through this to reconfirm the role of hunters as conservation leaders. The meetings and events will be organized in three countries and will run until the end of the project.

Project outputs

Presentations:

Press conferences:

Press conference about the prevention of illegal killing of lynx and other wildlife, 21.5.2019

E.3 Documentary Films

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:07:45 +0000

Documentary Film Series: The Role of Hunters as Conservationists, Lynx Reinforcement, and Short Video Clips on Project Activities

We will produce a two-part documentary film focused on hunter involvement in historic lynx reintroduction efforts in the 1970s (Part I) and chronicle their role and the role of other beneficiaries and stakeholders in the current reinforcement effort (Part II).

The overall goals of the two-part film(s) series will be to: 1) explore the historic and contemporary role of hunters as conservationists and 2) to document the lynx reinforcement effort that showcases cutting-edge 21st century conservation as collaborative, science-based, and transboundary.

Project outputs

LIFE Lynx YouTube channel

E: Public Awareness and Dissemination of Results - Life lynx

LIFE Lynx Final Conference successfully wrapped up

E.1 Promotion Through Consultative Groups

Promotion of the Lynx Population Reinforcement and Long-term Conservation Through Local Consultative Groups

Project outputs

Related news

Last Local Consultative Group meeting in Gospić, Croatia

How local people’s ideas about the lynx came to life

Film screenings and the last LCG annual meetings in Slovenia

How can we play with the lynx? A collection of games for children

E.2 Hunter Participation

Hunter Participation Through Partnerships

Project outputs

Related news

Goldhorn Bulletin dedicated to protection and conservation of lynx – available in printed and web version

Sharing our knowledge with Austrian hunters

Book of abstracts from the international lynx conservation conference available on the project website

New collaboration for lynx conservation also in Austria

E.3 Documentary Films

Documentary Film Series: The Role of Hunters as Conservationists, Lynx Reinforcement, and Short Video Clips on Project Activities

Project outputs

Related news

Film Together for Lynx now available also with Hungarian subtitles

Together for Lynx wins first place at Animal Behavior Society Film Festival

Lynx Festival in Romania hosted Together for Lynx and The Mighty Lynx Cartoon

A documentary film about the LIFE Lynx project in Croatia