Overview
Platform location: Vercors, France
Geographical size: 2,062 km²
Target species: Wolf (Canis lupus)
Human population: approx. 53,000 inhabitants1
Wolf population: 11 – 13 packs, increasing
Main stakeholders: Livestock herders, hunters, nature protection organisations, local elected officials, regional and county administrators, representative organisations, scientists
Co-organiser: Regional Natural Park Vercors
Co-financing: Park funding for monitoring activities
1 Vercors natural Park. A partner for the territory. https://rando.parc-du-vercors.fr/en/information/3-Vercors-natural-Park.
Context
Impact of large carnivores: The Vercors is a region with a wide variety of natural environments, rich in flora and fauna, as well as anthropogenic areas. As a result, it is home to many professional and recreational activities, such as agriculture, forestry, pastoralism, fishing, hunting and various outdoor activities such as hiking or skying. This wide range of activities is one of the main attractions of the area. Ensuring that all land users sharing the area can live together without conflict is a challenge which became even more complex after the return of the wolf around twenty years ago. Livestock in the area consists of suckler cow farms and sheep herds that are grazing on in the Vercors area. For more information on the impact of the wolf in Vercors see this report.
Regional economy: In the Vercors Nature Regional Park, the main agricultural activities are milk and meat production (cattle and sheep), with sheep and cattle contributing equally to these outputs. Tourism also plays an important role in the local economy, with around 15% of the population employed in tourism-related jobs.
Work carried out so far: Currently, 11 to 13 wolf packs are present in the region, and the population is growing. To protect livestock from wolves, protection measures such as using livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) have been implemented.
However, these measures caused tension and conflicts between livestock farmers and other people using the area, particularly affecting tourism and the local community. To address and ease these tensions a multi-actor working group including various stakeholders, focusing on balancing wolf protection measures, was established by the Vercors Regional Natural Park. The EU Platform for Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores later offered local mediation support in 2019, focusing on multi-use of the territory in the context of wolf presence. The process involved a series of meetings with all participants divided into working groups, supported by professional facilitation. The result of this process was an agreed “Common Narrative”.
Local conflicts associated with large carnivores
- Livestock damage: Following the return of the wolf, it was necessary for herders to adapt their practices in order to protect their livestock. One of the most effective tools in this context is the use of LGDs.
- Conflicts and tension between multiple land users: LGDs instinctively protect their herds from perceived threats, which can lead to tensions with other land users. Locals, hikers or hunters, must adapt their behaviour to avoid confrontation, while herders rely on these dogs for livestock protection.
