Conflicts between lynx, other large carnivores, and humans in macedonia and albania

Keçi E., Trajçe A., Mersini K., Bego F., Ivanov G., Melovski D., Stojanov A., Breitenmoser U., von Arx M., Schwaderer G., Spangenberg A. & D. C. Linnell J. (2008): Conflicts between lynx, other large carnivores, and humans in Macedonia and Albania. Proceedings of the III Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia with International Participation, 06-09.10.2007, Struga. Special issues of Macedonian Ecological Society, Vol. 8, Skopje. One of the most activities of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme in Albania and Macedonia was the completion of a baseline survey in both countries, to assess the ecological conditions for the Balkan lynx and the main threats to its survival. The area selected for conducting the survey covers northern, eastern and southeastern Albania, and western Macedonia. In addition to information on species distributions, the baseline survey gathered information concerning the conflicts between humans and large carnivores. The questionnaire developed for the baseline survey also included aspects of human-wildlife relationships. In total, 553 people from 154 different villages were interviewed in Macedonia, 320 people from 91 villages were interviewed in Albania. Information concerning conflicts was obtained on different levels: general information about damages in the village, direct personal losses due to large carnivore attacks, details of animal husbandry, response/prevention methods of humans towards attacks on livestock, cases of attacks on humans, and general fear level towards large carnivores. The survey uncovered a lot of conflict between livestock herders and wolves and bears, although the traditional husbandry methods appear to be relatively intact. For lynx, there were very few incidences of conflict with human interests, and most probably conservation measures will not be opposed by conflicts. Nevertheless, we encountered many cases of lynx being illegally killed and reasons for that should be properly evaluated and taken into consideration.