Authorities and Regional Agents Receive Training on Wildlife Poaching Prevention and Detection in Portugal

On June 19, Paredes de Coura hosted an event aimed at enhancing training and replicability of solutions for preventing and detecting poaching, particularly targeting the Iberian wolf and its wild prey.

The training session was directed at military and civilian personnel from GNR-SEPNA, Nature Rangers, the National Forest Agents Corps of ICNF, and Forest Firefighters operating in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, and Vila Real, regions where the Iberian wolf is present in Portugal.

With a fully booked auditorium at the cultural center, approximately 150 participants engaged in a capacity-building initiative focused on surveillance and conflict mitigation involving the wolf, the impact of poaching on wolves and their natural prey such as wild boar, roe deer, red deer, and mountain goats.

Rewilding Portugal shared its experience in poaching prevention developed under the European LIFE WolFlux project, which established a patrol for detecting traps and other environmental crimes. This initiative aimed to promote replicability and knowledge exchange among agents working in Peneda-Gêres National Park and its surrounding areas.

The ICNF presented data on the Dead Wolf Monitoring System and the Antidote Program, along with an explanation of the Compensation System for Livestock Owners. Enforcement measures for hunting activities to prevent illegal capture methods, such as traps and poisoned baits, were also highlighted. The GNR and BIOPOLIS pointed out that over 200 animals from protected species were killed by poisoning between 1982 and 2014, emphasizing that "these illegal pursuit methods do not discriminate by species." This means domestic animals and even humans may accidentally suffer severe physical harm, and poisoning carries a high risk of environmental contamination. This GNR presentation included a demonstration by the anti-poison dog team recently installed in Viana do Castelo, consisting of two agent-dog pairs currently in training.

The program also featured an open discussion, drawing significant contributions from key field agents who deal with incidents daily and play a crucial role in poaching surveillance and prevention.

To facilitate the reporting of poaching incidents, including traps and poisoned baits, the mobile app “I Saw a Wolf” was introduced. This app allows citizens to record observations of wolves and their natural prey, as well as events threatening these species. The app is available on the Iberian Wolf Platform at www.loboiberico.pt. It also provides access to the IFAP platform to request compensation for livestock losses due to wolf attacks and to the SOS Environment hotline (800 200 520) for reporting a dead wolf, poison, or traps. Citizens are advised not to touch or interfere with evidence until GNR agents arrive to ensure safety and preserve proof.

This event was organized by Rewilding Portugal under the LIFE WolFlux project, BIOPOLIS Association, the Municipality of Paredes de Coura, and the GNR under the LIFE Wild Wolf project, with participation from ICNF. The event aimed to underscore the importance of joint efforts among local entities to find the best solutions for wolf-human coexistence, including promoting and disseminating good silvo-pastoral practices, habitat restoration, and conflict mitigation within local communities.

Opening remarks by Vítor Paulo Pereira, Mayor of Paredes de Coura.

Speakers: Sara Aliácar and Miguel Pontes (Rewilding Portugal/LIFE WolFlux), Francisco Álvares (BIOPOLIS/LIFE Wild Wolf), Eliana Fonseca (ICNF), and Captain Miguel Branco (GNR).

Demonstration by the GNR anti-poison dog team, consisting of handler-dog pairs trained to detect poisoned baits.