The employees of the NPVF Administration based in Martin cooperated on the fulfilment of the main objective of the project “Implementation of Large Carnivore Management Programs in Slovakia” (hereinafter referred to as the “Large Carnivores 2 Project”), to maintain the favourable status of brown bears and wolves of prey in the Alpine bioregion and at the same time to achieve a favourable status of the predatory wolf in the Pannonian bioregion and the Eurasian lynx throughout Slovakia through the implementation of activities from the approved management programs. These targets are in line with the updated National Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, in particular its Target A.1: Degradation of all species and habitats and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their diets.
The activities of the employees of the NPVF Administration also focus on the mapping of large carnivores (Ursus arctos, Lynx lynx, Canis lupus). The mapping of the occurrence was carried out on the basis of the detection of residence features typical for individual species and the placement of camera traps. Monitoring is carried out for the purpose of continuous detection, collection and evaluation of data on large carnivore populations.
During the year, the NPVF Administration actively cooperated with state administration bodies, livestock breeders, fish farmers, hunters and the intervention team in dealing with damage events caused by designated animals and the damage caused by them. As part of the damage investigation, in addition to determining the cause of the damage, the NPVF Administration also evaluates the preventive measures taken. Investigated loss events are recorded in the central loss event system together with photo documentation and documentation. The number of damages caused by large carnivores investigated in the territorial competence of the VF NP Administration for 2023 was 63 (according to the database of the SOP SR). With each saving, preventive measures are proposed together with the injured parties to secure livestock, bee colonies, and others).
Footage from camera traps in the territory of the Veľká Fatra National Park:
