New Guidance Document Published
When undesirable wolf behaviour toward humans emerges, it is essential that interventions to minimise risks to human wellbeing are both timely and effective. Based on extensive information gathered within the LIFE WILD WOLF project, the consortium has now produced a guidance document to support decision-making when management interventions are required.
This guidance focuses specifically on situations involving risks to humans and does not address incidents related to attacks on livestock or dogs. Its aim is to reduce the likelihood of human injuries caused by wolves in modern Europe and to help ensure that communities living in wolf areas maintain trust in the authorities responsible for managing risky situations.
The guidance outlines measures designed to reduce the risk of wolf attacks on humans in a variety of scenarios. It does not seek to determine which wolf behaviours are acceptable to people, nor does it aim to influence public attitudes toward wolves. Instead, it provides a framework to help identify when specific interventions may be appropriate, recognising that the chosen approach will depend heavily on the context and objectives.
Given the considerable diversity in ecological, cultural, and management conditions across European countries, the recommendations should be viewed as general principles that offer a practical direction forward in most circumstances, while acknowledging that they may not apply in every situation.
The document provides clear guidance on when and in what sequence different interventions should be considered. The recommendations aim to be sufficiently detailed to support practical implementation, yet flexible enough to accommodate the wide variation in management systems, traditions, and local conditions across Europe. As such, there remains significant room for interpretation and adaptation.
An additional key purpose of the guidance is to promote consistent handling and documentation of similar situations across countries. This consistency will enable meaningful comparison of outcomes and, ultimately, a better understanding of the effectiveness of various interventions. Through this approach, we can gain valuable insights within a few years rather than decades.
Please find the document here.
