Stakeholder dialogue and international exchange strengthen coexistence efforts in Pivka, Slovenia

On 27 May 2026, the Municipality of Pivka hosted the seventh meeting of the local stakeholder platform under LIFE WILD WOLF project took place in Pivka. Organised at the DINA Pivka Centre and the Municipality of Pivka, the meeting was enriched by an international exchange of experiences, with participation from representatives of a stakeholder platform from Croatia, who visited Pivka as part of a two-day study visit, creating a dynamic setting for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and mutual learning.

. The international visit created a valuable opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing and mutual learning between stakeholders working on large-carnivore coexistence in Slovenia and Croatia. Participants included representatives of local communities, agriculture, hunting organisations, nature conservation, forestry and wildlife-management institutions.

 The meeting was opened by the Mayor of the Municipality of Pivka, who highlighted the importance of the DINA Pivka Centre as a key hub for public awareness-raising, education and stakeholder engagement. He emphasized that successful coexistence requires a balanced approach that considers both nature conservation objectives and the needs of local communities, supported by stable and science-based management.

The opening was followed by presentations on the municipality’s activities within the LIFE Varna paša, adaptive game management approaches in areas of permanent wolf presence, the Bear Friendly label, and the new LIFE DinPin Bear project. Together, the presentations highlighted the importance of effective damage- prevention measures, transboundary cooperation, reliable monitoring, and the active involvement of local communities.

From presentations to practical discussion

The presentations were followed by a rich and engaging discussion, which became the central part of the meeting. The exchange focused primarily on three interconnected themes.

First, participants discussed the practical implementation of preventive measures. Key questions included who is responsible for installing protective equipment, such as electric fences, and how these systems are maintained in practice. Slovenian participants highlighted administrative and legal challenges, particularly when attempting to provide equipment free of charge, as public institutions often face regulatory constraints. The importance of proper use, technical support, and long-term maintenance of equipment was also emphasized.

The second major topic was adaptive wildlife management in areas with permanent wolf presence. Croatian participants were particularly interested in how such management is planned and implemented in Slovenia. The discussion addressed the system of multi-level planning and how hunting quotas are defined. Considerable attention was given to the monitoring of implementation, including how compliance with planned harvest levels is controlled, what deviations are allowed, and how enforcement is ensured.

Finally, the discussion also touched on broader ecological aspects, particularly the role of natural prey availability in shaping conflicts with livestock. Croatian participants noted that levels of predation on wild ungulates in Slovenia appear comparable to the number of livestock losses recorded in their own areas. This led to a discussion on whether a lack of natural prey in certain regions may be contributing to increased pressure on domestic animals. Experts from the University of Ljubljana confirmed that such links are well established and highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced prey base as part of effective long-term coexistence strategies.

Learning across borders

The exchange revealed important differences in national contexts. Croatian participants highlighted challenges related to limited data availability and implementation capacities, while Slovenian representatives presented a more structured management system based on long-term monitoring and planning.

Comparing these approaches helped participants identify shared challenges, practical differences and solutions that could potentially be adapted to other contexts. The discussion also demonstrated the value of international exchange: approaches that are well established in one country can provide inspiration elsewhere, while experiences from different social and ecological settings can reveal limitations and stimulate improvements.

The meeting clearly confirmed that regular stakeholder platform meetings provide an important space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and trust-building among people and institutions with different responsibilities and perspectives. The LIFE WILD WOLF project will continue supporting the Pivka stakeholder platform over the coming year. At the same time, partners and local stakeholders are already exploring options to ensure this valuable dialogue continues beyond the project’s lifetime.