CAN BEARS AND WOLVES COEXIST PEACEFULLY? A CASE STUDY OF A CONFRONTATION RECORD IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The existing data indicates a steady decrease in the grey wolf (Canis lupus) population of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), but despite this there remains no official protective legislation in place for the species. In an attempt to address the issue of protective legislation, we initiated monitoring projects on the grey wolf in B&H with the support of the Rufford Foundation. The aim of these projects was to obtain data on the presence, activity, abundance, and behavior of wolves, while continuously expanding the area of monitoring. Monitoring has been conducted via camera trapping since 2015. Cameras were set up at several localities, at one of which a confrontation between a wolf and European brown bear (Ursus arctos) was recorded. Since these two apex predators have recolonized common regions and habitats across Europe, resource competition and the possibility of inter-specific conflict is more likely. These conflicts may jeopardize the continued existence and future expansion of populations of both bears and wolves in these recolonized habitats. Accordingly, it is very important to study the nature of their coexistence, and the resulting data is ultimately essential for helping to create or resume conservation management plans for both species. Moreover, these data can help highlight areas for data collection and monitoring, thus providing important baseline information for survey planning.