Large Carnivores, Wild Ungulates and Society Working Group - WISO

Chair: Slovenia  

The objectives of the Large Carnivores, Wild Ungulates and Society Working Group (WISO), set up by the X Alpine Conference in 2009, are to find solutions to manage large carnivores and wild ungulates both harmoniously with society and based on an integrated approach. The Working Group goes beyond a strictly ecological approach and endeavours to take into account also economic and social aspects in a balanced manner. The work of the Working Group is in line with the Nature protection and landscape conservation Protocol of the Alpine Convention and supports the efforts of the Contracting Parties to protect wild animal and plant species, their diversity and their habitat. 

During the current mandate, until the XVII Alpine Conference, the WISO Working Group propose to consider the following objectives as the work agenda:

• Promote the exchange among the Working Group members of information, scientific data and experiences in order to support decision-making processes as well as the coordination of responding actions concerning large carnivores. Additionally, the topic of genetic monitoring harmonization of wolfs in the Alps will be a part of this exchange, facilitated by discussing results of the LIFE WOLFALPS EU project;
• Maintain and improve spatial connectivity for large carnivores and ungulates in the Alps, also transnationally, and, as WISO Working Group, contribute with its expertise to the implementation of the pathways of the Alpine Climate Board within the sector of activity “Ecosystems and Biodiversity”;
• Review the implementation of recommendations made in the previous mandate periods’ reports on the coordinated management of Bear, Wolf and Lynx in the Alps and on the report on livestock prevention measures and thereby lay the foundation for an update of said reports and recommendations;
• Continue the exchange and discussion about wild ungulate management.

Contact: 
Rok Černe, Slovenian Forest Service
rok.cerne@zgs.gov.si