The three-year international LECA project has delivered new insights into the movement and conservation of wolves, lynx, and bears in the Carpathians, demonstrating that their future depends on close cross-border cooperation. Six countries participated in the research, with scientists monitoring large carnivores across more than 37,000 km² and testing practical measures to reduce human–wildlife conflict. The results are now summarised in methodological guidelines aimed at improving conservation efforts across Europe.
Large carnivores roam vast territories that extend far beyond national borders, which wildlife naturally does not recognise, while conservation measures often remain confined within them. Ensuring the long-term survival of these species in the Carpathians therefore requires coordinated action across the entire region. This challenge was addressed by the international LECA project – Supporting Coexistence and Conservation of LargE CArnivores in the Carpathians – whose final conference took place on 16–17 March in Zvolen, Slovakia. The event brought together nearly 150 experts, conservationists, researchers, and government representatives from across Europe. Over the past three years, the project connected partners from six countries, including ministries, universities, conservation authorities, and NGOs, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and developing practical solutions for monitoring, conflict prevention, and combating wildlife crime.
“Large carnivores do not recognise borders. If we want to protect them effectively, we must cooperate and share knowledge across the entire Carpathian region,” emphasised Martin Duľa, project coordinator from Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno.
During the project, researchers combined modern monitoring methods, including camera trapping, genetic analysis, and GPS telemetry. More than 560 camera traps were deployed across an area exceeding 37,000 km². Scientific teams identified 108 individual animals, 27 of which were fitted with telemetry collars, providing valuable data on their movement, home ranges size, and behaviour.
Across the Carpathians, the LECA project also focused on promoting coexistence between people and large carnivores. In several pilot regions, teams tested electric fencing, improved waste management, and other preventive measures to reduce livestock losses and keep carnivores away from human settlements. These practical interventions were implemented in key cross-border areas—from the Beskydy and Kysuce regions through the Tatras to the Eastern Carpathians and Slovak Karst, with additional reference sites in Romania and Slovenia.
The project brought together local authorities, farmers, hunters, conservation organisations, and national park staff. More than 22 cross-border meetings were held, involving over 300 participants. Through 41 public events and eight short educational films, thousands of people across the region learned more about the ecological role of wolves, lynx, and bears, as well as the importance of peaceful coexistence.
“These activities show that coexistence is not just a theory. It is something we can build in practice, together with communities living closest to nature. If people understand the behaviour of large carnivores and have access to practical tools, conflicts can be prevented before they arise,” added Martin Duľa.
The knowledge gathered across all participating countries has now been compiled into thematic methodological documents focusing on monitoring techniques, conflict prevention, and the investigation of wildlife crime. These materials will support authorities and experts in developing more coordinated, science-based conservation strategies.
As the project concludes, partners emphasise a key message: the Carpathians remain one of Europe’s most important strongholds for large carnivores, and their future will depend on continued cross-border cooperation.
Project LECA
LECA – Supporting Coexistence and Conservation of Large Carnivores in the Carpathians (April 2023 – March 2026) is an international initiative aimed at strengthening large carnivore conservation in the Carpathian region. Despite legal protection, these species continue to face persistent threats, including poaching, habitat fragmentation, traffic collisions, intensive land use, and increasing human–wildlife conflict. Monitoring approaches also vary between countries, complicating data comparability and effective regional responses.
The LECA project addressed these challenges by introducing harmonised, science-based monitoring methods, improving conflict prevention practices, supporting law enforcement in tackling wildlife crime, and strengthening cross-border cooperation among ministries, universities, national parks, NGOs, and local stakeholders.
More information on project website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/leca/
The project is supported by the Interreg Central Europe programme and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Contact person: Mgr. Martin Duľa, Ph.D., Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno, martin.dula@mendelu.cz, +420 770 137 635