The WWF European Alpine Programme published a report on the conservation status and outlook of alpine large carnivores.The plight of Europe’s large carnivores has become an issue of growing conservation concern.
Wolves, bears and lynx continue to be persecuted by humans and in many cases their habitats are under considerable threat.
While the precarious status of Asia’s tigers is widely known, some of Europe’s own top predators are in danger of quietly disappearing. Others face an upsurge in conflict with people as they try to reclaim parts of their former ranges.
Their return is both a spectacular, if somewhat controversial, good sign and a threat of more conflict to come. The solution that will lead to peaceful coexistence between humans and carnivores in the Alps lies in learning to accept that mountains, pastures and forests are not only ours. Shedding old myths and legends about those furtive, beautiful animals would help, too.
A BBC documentary about the return of large predators to the Alps will be broadcast starting on 25 January 2006
Switzerland the wolf is making a comeback, but sheep farmers are not enthusiastic about seeing their age-old enemy returning. It turns out that an effective protection for a flock is a 'guard' donkey in the midst - the wolves are wary of the powerful kicks a donkey can deliver.