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As wildlife populations recover across Europe, research from the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development highlights the importance of open dialogue with farmers in navigating the return of large mammals like wolves and wild boar, showing that coexistence is possible when their perspectives are considered.

In a significant and rare shift against the global trend of biodiversity loss, populations of large mammals like the wolf and wild boar are making a remarkable recovery across Europe. In the case of the wolf, once locally extinct for over a century in many regions, they are now reclaiming their natural habitats. However, this resurgence has sparked both hope and anxiety, particularly in rural communities with little experience in living alongside large carnivores.

The challenge lies not just in protecting animals like the wolf, but in addressing the concerns of the people who share their landscapes

Efforts to facilitate coexistence between humans and wildlife have been ongoing, with measures such as subsidies for protective fencing and compensation for livestock losses. Yet, the return of species like the wolf has become a highly politicized issue. The debate is often framed as a conflict between conservationists, who support their presence and affected rural communities—especially farmers—who are seen as opposing them. This narrative, however, can leave rural communities feeling marginalized and vilified, potentially deepening their distrust of conservation bodies.

Research in Central Europe’s Carpathians

In collaboration with Charles ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� in the Czech Republic, over the last three years environmental scientists Ine Dorresteijn and Amy ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��om have been investigating this tension in Central Europe’s Carpathians. "The challenge lies not just in protecting animals like the wolf, but in addressing the concerns of the people who share their landscapes,” explains ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��om. “Many of the conflicts arise from a sense that rural communities are not being heard in the broader conservation."

To better understand these dynamics, the research team conducted workshops with small- to medium-scale farmers in the Western Carpathians. These workshops took place in the Carpathian’s Beskydy and Javorniky region, both in Slovakia, where large carnivores have long been present, and the Czech Republic, where they have only recently returned. The goal was to listen to the perspectives of farmers and gain insights into how they envision a future of coexistence with large carnivores and other large wild mammals.

Understanding how farmers envision coexistence

Despite being directly impacted by livestock predation, many farmers expressed a desire to see large carnivores remain part of the landscape. “We don’t want to exterminate them,” shared one participant. Many farmers acknowledged the ecological role of wolves and other large predators, but expressed concern about the changed landscape. “They’re just coming back to a different landscape,” one participant remarked. “You can’t have that many large carnivores here; there’s no landscape for that anymore.”

The workshops also uncovered a deep sense of frustration with current wildlife management practices. While compensation is available for livestock killed by wolves, for example, many farmers pointed out that financial reimbursements alone do not account for the emotional and operational tolls. As one participant poignantly stated, “No one can compensate you for emotional loss.”

The research team found that the central issue is not just wildlife management, but also the flawed communication between human stakeholders. "Farmers often feel sidelined in discussions dominated by extremist voices on both sides," says Dorresteijn. However, there was a clear desire for collaboration, with one farmer stressing, “We must be able to sit down together if we are going to make this work.”

These findings suggest that while tensions exist, the gap between conservation efforts and rural communities may not be as wide as it seems. "If small farmers, who are among the most affected by this issue, can see the potential for a positive future of coexistence, it shows there is common ground to be found," say ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��om and Dorresteijn.