plentiful prey to support high numbers Agree to Defer? Wolves in of individuals and packs. Livestock protected by Karakachan guarding Text and photos by Chris Senior dogs grazed within wolf territories. Then under the Socialist regime, he faces around the table are involvement with wolf conservation wildlife species were arbitrarily divided tense, and body language reveals in Bulgaria since 2006, I’m attending into “good” and “bad.” Those classified Tthe participants’ discomfort. strictly as an observer, which is tough as “bad” were marked for extermina- Discussion is heated, but just when because I’m anything but neutral! tion. Add to this a 1950s rabies control agreement seems close, compromise Professor Alistair Bath of Memorial program with widespread use of poison slips away and argument resumes. University, Newfoundland, Canada, and the situation quickly worsened. And what is the subject of all the joins the participants. He has worked By the 1970s Bulgarian wolf numbers wrangling? The future of the wolf. on similar plans for top-level species had plummeted to an estimated 150 No surprises there! both here and in other countries, individuals, and wolves were officially This is democracy in action or at acting as facilitator in the process. declared endangered by 1975. least that is the aim. Diverse stake- But “Professor Alistair” is not having Previous workshops have produced holders have come together to craft an easy time of it today. some positive results. Over the next a national wolf management process International Wolf readers know two days, discussion centers on varied for Bulgaria, a plan required by the well that wolves stir strong emotions. topics for the proposed management (EU), which Bulgaria This is true the world over even where plan: prevention of damage to live- joined in 2007. Both the EU and the wolves have avoided eradication by stock, wolf diet, a “no hunting” period Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe humans as is the case with Bulgaria. during the year, compensation pay- (LCIE), a working group within the Although views are polarized here, ments for damages, problem wolves International Union for Conservation wolves and humans have coexisted for and effective monitoring. The phrase of Nature (IUCN), are supporters of centuries. Even early in the 20th “problem wolf” immediately sparks this workshop. Despite my direct century wolves were abundant with debate with one participant adamant that all wolves are problematic. This will not be easy at all. Wolf numbers in Bulgaria have increased since the 1970s, but wolf conservationists think that because of the census methods used, the official tally of around 2,000 individuals is a massive overestimation. Coupled with this, less wild prey has resulted in more livestock depredation, creating the perception that wolves are increasing more rapidly than may be the case. Government policy, frequently negative toward wolves, has caused setbacks for this keystone species. Additionally, hunt- ing is a common pastime, and shooting Professor Alistair Bath of Memorial a wolf is said to be the greatest chal- University, Newfoundland, Canada. lenge, though with no guarantee of success. Even Bulgaria’s president, Georgi Parvanov, likes to hunt, and his ackground image: Denise Taylor ackground image: Denise Taylor B

International Wolf Summer 2011 17 Web site shows an image of him beside alities try to dominate and helping changes for their own gain, perhaps a freshly killed wolf. people reach some agreement on meeting other groups intent upon However, with the diverse parties various topics under discussion. This the same deed! represented here, including govern- process is not about manipulating The subject of wolf monitoring ment agency officials, scientific or bullying people toward the elusive proves especially contentious. Until researchers, animal experts, hunting goal: a completed management plan. May 2010 a bounty was payable in associations, foresters and private non- Rather, it is about creating an atmo- Bulgaria for wolves killed. One posi- profits, there is a chance to show a high sphere in which all views can be heard tive aspect of this (depending on one’s level of scientific wolf knowledge and and consensus reached. At one tense viewpoint of course) was the data maybe lay a few myths to rest. Dedicated moment, Alistair stops a heated debate provided concerning the wolf’s loca- conservation organizations such as the to remind everyone of the need for tion and the possibility of a DNA Balkani Wildlife Society (balkani.org) “principles not positions.” Those who sample. Lively discussion arises over have conducted intensive research, have come only to argue their own effective methods to monitor the popu- and we are given a presentation with position will gain nothing; adhering to lation. As protracted debate ensues precise diet data. Comprehensive scat one’s basic principles while seeking someone suggests that “compensation” analysis in two study areas shows live- compromise is paramount. might be paid for submitting a wolf stock can form a significant part of For much of the time this works. carcass. Someone else interjects a wolves’ diet. Whether the wolves have Topics with agreed-upon points are comment about detecting wolf pop- done the killing is, of course, harder to posted on large sheets of paper in clear ulations hybridizing with dogs. Many determine. However, much has been view. The smaller pieces of paper are dogs run loose in the countryside, and learned, and there is always more to glued firmly down with an outline the question is posed: If a male wolf know concerning this amazingly adap- drawn around them—not quite set in is killed when the breeding female is tive predator—and much to debate. stone but perhaps the modern equiva- in season, will she then breed with a Professor Alistair tries to keep the lent, and I have images in my mind dog instead? process moving, acknowledging the of people trying to sneak back into Each discussion point seems to value of all viewpoints when person- the room at night to make subtle have almost as many sides as there are

Sexton: Sexton: Output from pdf provided Output from pdf provided “VCC-ad.pdf” “bwj iwc sp08.pdf”

for some reason, this is separating.. should be 1c K

18 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org NETH.

BELGIUM GERMANY

LUX. CZECH

AUSTRIA FRANCE SWITZERLAND LIECH.

SLOVENIA people in the room, and it is frustrating to watch some people clearly not listening to the viewpoints of others. Proof that frustration is high comes ROMANIA when the subject of livestock guarding dogs is discussed, and someone asks why the group is even considering this issue when the object of the debate is to determine “whether there are YUGOSLAVIA sufficient wolves to allow hunting.” Sophia One statistic commanding attention Bulgaria is the report that hunters killed 1,000 wolves between 2006 and 2009. Since poaching is a problem, the true mor- MACEDONIA tality figure is probably higher.ITALY Can a viable population be sustained at this rate? Who can say for sure? An accu- rate estimate of the likely population ALBANIA through-out Bulgaria is as elusive as the wolf itself. Balkani reports an esti- mated 600-700 wolves in Bulgaria, not the 2,000 officially cited by the GREECE TURKEY government. But research is ongoing regarding this crucial number, so any concept of a “sustainable harvest” is largely meaningless. Harvest. It sounds TUNISIAlike a field of wheat rather then a keystone species. I commentMALTA on this to others and find I am not the only one sadly amused by the term. The debate shifts focus to the issue SYRIA of a “protection period” when wolves will not be hunted. Two key issues are presented. First, should such a period

Comprehensive scat analysis in two study areas shows live- stock can form a significant part of wolves’ diet.

International Wolf Summer 2011 19 apply to the entire country, or should are perturbed not only with the others the wolf. People just perceive wolves the state-run “hunting areas” covering present but also with themselves, espe- differently: a trophy to be hunted; a some 14 percent of the country be cially since Professor Alistair had hoped creature to be researched and protected excluded? Second, how long should to make this workshop the last where along with its habitat; a nuisance to such a period be? Those responsible he would be needed as facilitator. By be controlled; an essential ecological for the hunting areas are not in favor of now group members are not even sure umbrella species; a resource to be any protection at all within these areas whether they can ask him to return. “harvested” and a symbol of wildness. because figures demonstrate only a few The need for his skill is evident, but The lines between these views may wolves are shot there during the when he asks directly whether they have been blurred a little over the proposed spring protection period. want him to come back, guilt at the lack last two days, but there is still so far to Hence, they insist a protection period of progress causes people to hesitate. go. That much I think we could agree would not make much practical differ- Or maybe, I think, they are just too upon. n ence. The opposing view is that since tired now to make any decisions at all. the number of wolves killed is small, So the workshop is over. There has Chris Senior lives in the north of England this is not a big compromise to ask for, been progress, let us not forget this and works as an environmental GIS and there is no reason not to have even with the faltering ending. But specialist, photographer and Web site wolves protected throughout the entire democracy is a slow process, and developer. He also loves travel, particu- country in spring. Deadlock. people often have the mistaken view larly wolf-related trips, and apart from frequent trips to the Bulgarian project, Debate goes on for two hours. that it means all participants get what he has visited the Canadian tundra to see Professor Alistair points out that the they want. But if they succeed even half wild arctic wolves and spent five weeks rest of the EU nations have a country- the time, they are doing well! That is helping look after captive wolves in wide “no exceptions” protection the nature of it. And compromise over Poland. He has many photos, which can period. However, this fails to end the wolf is not an easy thing, whichever be seen at www.pbase.com/pawsforthought the arguing. Finally, a subgroup is side you are on. That much is clear. and a few tales to tell also! appointed to wrestle with this matter I do not even think that anyone at a future date. in the room actually outright hates From this point, the frustration all around is evident. I sense that people Author’s note: Thanks must go to my friends, Elena and Sider Sedefcheva, for looking after me in Bulgaria. Between them they keep rare-breed Karakachan goats, sheep and horses; have brought the Karakachan livestock guarding dog back from the brink of extinction; built the massive Large Carnivore Education Centre (LCEC) and host school groups there; work on wolf and other large carni- vore conservation and research; campaign on green issues and still find time to look after two amazing kids. Their dedication amazes me constantly. If you would like to know more, head for www.visitcarnivorebg.org where you can see the new Web site pro- gressing. There are photos and infor- mation about the project and the op- portunity to make donations as well. It always surprises me how much is accomplished with relatively little money, and every or dollar can truly benefit the tremendous conser- One statistic commanding attention vation efforts of the team there. is the report that hunters killed 1,000 wolves between 2006 and 2009. A special thank you also to Vencislav Gradinarov, whose tireless interpret- ing skills made it possible for me to make sense of the proceedings.

20 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org