Decreasing socio-ecological

barriers to connectivity for

wolves south of the Douro

river

Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) pack. Photo credit: Andoni Canela

Project snapshot

Project Title: Decreasing socio-ecological barriers to

connectivity for wolves south of the Douro river (LIFE WolFlux).

Project Code: LIFE17 NAT/PT/000554

Duration: 5 years (01-01-2019 to 30-11-2023)

Total budget: 2,185,383.00 €

EU contribution: 1,639,036.00 €

Project location: Centro (Portugal)

Partnership: Rewilding Portugal, Universidade de Aveiro,

ATNatureza, Zoo Logical and Rewilding Europe

Co-funding: Endangered Landscapes Programme

Wildprey availability and

diversity

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus). Photo credit: Grzegorz Leśniewski | Rewilding Europe

Conflicts with livestock

husbandry

Limousin cow, Quinta das Machadas, Greater Coa Valley. Photo credit: Juan Carlos Muñoz | Rewilding Europe

Habitat loss

Arada mountains, central Portugal. Photo credit: Sara Aliácar | Rewilding Portugal

Habitat loss

Negative attitudes

Wolf injured by a illegal snare directed to wild boar. Photo credit: Zoo Logical | LIFE WolFlux

Promote coexistence and reduce conflicts with livestock owners

Overcoming threats to reduce barriers

Develop a strategy to promote local products (agricultural products, tourism, etc.)

Ensure the viability of the wolf subpopulation south of the Douro river

Increase the number of wild prey for Iberian wolf (roe deer)

Initial wolf activity survey and feeding

ecology analysis in the project area

Preparatory actions for increasing wild prey

availability for wolves – roe deer monitoring

Completed Actions

Attitudes towards wolf, its prey and nature

conservation

Completed Actions

#EUinmyregion

Mapping damage hotspots

Key ongoingactions

• Hunting management plan for wolf prey species

• Improve roe deer habitat and reinforce population

• Provide damage prevention measures to livestock owners

• Setting up a network of wildlife ambassadors and a

surveillance team (fire and poaching prevention)

• Create a brand and sales force to value products that

contribute to the conservation of the Iberian wolf

• Creation of Youth Clubs

Leão, 1st livestock guarding dog given by LIFE WolFlux. Credit: Rewilding Portugal

Submitting a LIFE proposal

• Having a strong coherent proposal

• Take a workshop

• Having a good engaged partnership

• Talk to other experienced people in LIFE

• Be specific in the actions but leave room for adaptive management

• Preparation work on the ground with stakeholders before submission

• Work on your budget in detail

• Submission persistence is a virtue

• Take care of yourself and rest after proposal submission

*just kidding

Wild Regards

www.life-wolflux.com | info@rewilding-portugal.com