IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Lähmus, A. | |
| Large Carnivore Control and Management Plan for Estonia, 2002-2011 | |
| 2001 Full Book | |
The aim of this work is to establish a scientifically motivated plan for wolf (_Canis lupus_), lynx (_Lynx lynx_) and brown bear (_Ursus arctos_) control and protection in Estonian in period 2002 -2011. The plan consists of five parts, three of which are a scientific review of the control and protection possibilities and needs, the latter two present and analyse adjacent activities and strategies. The plan is to be renewed in 2010 or in appearance of extraordinary development also earlier. Estonia is inhabited by 100-150 wolves and 300-500 brown bears (about 1% of European population of these species) and 600-900 lynxes (>1% of the European population). Two thirds of the bear population can be found in three eastern counties, lynx density is highest in the forests of North and Central Estonia while majority of wolves live in P„rnu and Jägeva counties. Wolf and lynx populations are genetically related to large populations in Russia and Latvia, but the bear population is potentially relatively isolated. With present population size, extinction probability of bear in coming 200 years is less than 5% without hunting, but with annual quota of only 20 specimen, the probability is as high as 22-40%. The main cost of maintaining a viable large carnivore population is preying on domestic animals, but with current practice of livestock breeding in Estonia the risk is rather small. Among game ungulates, wolfs negative influence to wild boar population is evident, but it is not effective when wolf population does not exceed 200 specimen. Positive effect of large carnivore is limiting of mesopredator and beaver populations and increasing of food basis for scavenger species. The biggest dangers to Estonian large carnivores are over-hunting, potentially negative public opinion and in the case of bear also disturbance. As of habitat quality, influence of decreasing roe-deer population on lynx and potential bear distribution barriers deserve more attention. Long term aim of the plan is maintenance of favourable conditions for large carnivores to facilitate in period 2002-2011 sufficient population size and its natural functions , keeping agricultural damages on optimal low level and maintain possibility to hunt large carnivores. To enable these functions, it is recommended to maintain a wolf population of 100-200 specimen and bear and lynx populations at least 500 strong in Estonia. The action plan defines 38 activities that can be divided into eight categories: 1) improvement of legislation; 2) development of infra-structure; 3) monitoring and information systems; 4) applied research; 5) habitat protection; 6) control and rehabilitation; 7) large carnivore damage management; 8) increase of public awareness and moulding of public opinion. The highest (A) priority activity list includes 17 activities, medium priority (B) list 9 activities and low priority (C) list 12 activities. Minimal cost of the plan (only priority A) is EEK 242 000 - 577 000 annually, majority of which is formed by establishment and running of the coordinators post. Other high priority tasks are formation of an advisory group, training of regional experts, estimation of official census error , development of monitoring methodology, analysis of large carnivore conservation area expedience, rehabilitation of abandoned bear cubs and publishing of informational folders. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |