In numerous interviews across various borders {social and cultural, as well as regional and national) that included experts from the scientific, administrative and practical fields, CIPRA has collected a range of experiences, views and customs of shepherds, conservationists and sheep farmers as regards dealing with wolves in the Alpine regions. One result of the research relates to communication, which should be fact-based, transparent and composed in order to build trust and disseminate knowledge. Another conclusion revolves around the profession of the shepherd, which has become more important than ever since the return of these large carnivores. The professionalisation of training and networking will be necessary in order to improve the social standing and financial rewards of shepherds. Furthermore, the interviews revealed that monitoring activities should be expanded on a supra-regional and transnational level and that herd protection measures should be improved.

Shepherds are faced with wide-ranging tasks since the return of the wolf. A study in South Tyrol, France, Switzerland and Austria defined the potentials and challenges for a cross-border organisation for shepherds. The study and project report are available online; an implementation project is now being developed on the basis of the results, in which CIPRA will explore the question of how communication can succeed in the troubled relationship between wolves and humans.

Sources and further information: www.cipra.org/knowlegde-wolf