Education
EAZA European Carnivore Campaign
Date: 16.06.2010.
50 years ago Carnivores have been heading towards an unfortunate ending. When all hopes seemed to have already been lost, the awareness of their conservation has started to grow. Since then until now, their numbers have started to rise in certain parts of Europe. From the viewpoint of wildlife conservation, this meant a positive development. However, the fact that the expansion of the number of carnivores also increases their range should also be taken into consideration. Such a development places them in an increasingly frequent contact with humans. The consequences may include slaughtered cattle, facility damage, etc. This, in return, can lead humans to decrease their tolerance towards carnivores. For these reasons, the slogan of the campaign is “LIVING TOGETHER”. One of the aims of the campaign is to reintroduce herding methods that were practiced by our ancestors, and to familiarize people with new methods of cattle and other agricultural goods protection.
The second big problem that carnivores face is the loss of natural habitat, pollution, and competition with introduced species, as well as inbreeding due to isolated populations, or crossbreeding with introduced species. These problems come as an indirect consequence of the modern man’s way of life.
The 2008/2009 campaign core aims are:
- To make people conscious of the diversity of wildlife that lives in Europe;
- To raise public awareness of the numbers of large carnivore species and to prepare for their expansion in territories where their numbers are decreased;
- To draw attention to the way our modern lifestyles affect the remaining natural world;
- To explain why the presence of carnivores is a good indicator of the condition of our environment.
EAZA raises money through various funds in support of projects that concern the conservation and research of European carnivores.
Europe is home to many large and small carnivores, among which 12 endangered species have been chosen throughout Europe as flagship species to highlight the campaign:
Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)
Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)
Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Eurasian wildcat (Felis silvestris)
Grey wolf (Canis lupus)
Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Golden jackal (Canis aureus)
European mink (Mustela lutreola)
“Large Carnivores in Croatia” Lecture
“Following the Footprints of European Carnivores” Contest
“Year Of The European Carnivore” EXHIBIT
Teddy Bears Picnic
