The action plan for large carnivores in Czech Republic – public awareness campaign Miroslav Kutal, Hnutí DUHA Seminár „Veľké šelmy – navrhované usmernenie EK, aktuálne otázky v Českej republike a na Slovensku“ Bratislava,

Why a public awareness campaign? John Linnell, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 2006: „I hate to admit it as an ecologist, but the most pressing issues are related to social science.” The carnivore comeback, Science 314:

Preparation of the awareness campaign (1) ‏ Set up during 2005 – 2006 by Hnutí DUHA (J. Bláha et al.) ‏ Experience from previous work ( ) ‏ Discussions with NGOs and experts involved in the topic: Hnutí DUHA Olomouc (M. Kutal) ‏ ČSOP Valašské Meziříčí (M. Orálek, M. Dvorský) ‏ ČSOP Rožnov pod Radhoštěm (F. Šulgan) ‏ Beskydčan (L. Košťál, Š. Košťálová) ‏ D. Bartošová, P. Benda, P. Bezděčka, L. Bufka, J. Červený, K. Kočí, P. Koubek, L. Králíček, L. Kunc, J. Pavelka (mosty from state nature conservancy institutions) ‏

Preparation of the awareness campaign (2) ‏ Developed a draft of public campaign Common discussion with all participants including state nature conservation (in Czech LC platform) ‏ Final adjustment Photo: K. Brož

Objectives  Illegal hunting not accepted by public  Large carnivores considered as a natural and common part of Czech forests  Involving of local people in large carnivore conservation

Levels of influence Local level (where large carnivores are present) ‏ National level Specific target groups: - local opinion leaders - hunters - farmers - providers of tourism

Main actions on national level: Media work (press reports) ‏ Base for implementation teams on local level, coordination Books (reprint, new translations) ‏ Website, TV spot (short movie) ‏ Reward for an information about poaching Searching for suitable existing movies, translation

Main actions on local level: Media work (local newspapers) ‏ Releasing of leaflets, posters… Information panels, exhibitions Discussion forums in villages Education program in schools Regional video libraries Traveling cinema for local communities „Wolf and lynx patrols“

„Wolf Patrols“  From 1999 in the Beskydy Mts.  Successful action against poaching, involves local people and reinforces monitoring of large carnivores.

„Wolf Patrols“  Discourage from poaching  Search for illegal baits

„Wolf Patrols“  Monitor large carnivores

Main actions on specific target groups Hunters: discussion forums, educational publications Farmers: preventive measures (advisory service, practical booklet…) ‏ Providers of tourism: postcards of LC, presentations in hotels, information boards.. Work with local opinion leaders

Děkuji za pozornost Miroslav Kutal Hnutí DUHA Olomouc