EU Platform on Large Carnivores: Supporting good practice for coexistence

The four European large carnivore species (brown bear Ursus arctos, wolf Canis lupus, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx, and wolverines Gulo gulo) are among the most symbolic but challenging groups of species in terms of conservation and management in the European Union (EU). This is because of their biological needs – they have large ranges which cross borders – and the fact that they are controversial - they potentially conflict with human economic activities such as farming and hunting and in rare cases threaten human safety.

In June 2014, a group of representative stakeholder organisations agreed to work together as part of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores. This report presents case studies collected by the Platform members and categorises them into types of good practice relevant to coexistence. A summary of the analysis the contractors carried out of the use of Rural Development funds is then given. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the current use of the support of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and how this could be extended in future to better cover the good practice identified in the case studies.