Download Why large carnivores? Large carnivores, as they stand at the top of

Why large carnivores?
Large carnivores, as they stand at the top of the food chain, have a
determining role in the ecosystem of forests. During their hunting
activity they select the injured and weak animals regulating by that the
proliferation of the population of prey animals. That way they help to
maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
From among large carnivores of the Carpathian Basin wolf and lynx
live in Hungary. The lynx had stable population until the end of the
19th century, while there was a stable wolf population until the middle
of the 20th century. Afterwards, on account of habitat degradation and
heavy hunting, both the lynx and wolf population collapsed. Towards
the end of the 20th century both species were extinct in Hungary, only
seldom was a specimen prowling in the country heard about.
From the 1980-90’s this kind of occasional observations became more
frequent. Several animals appeared and resettled in certain places of
the Hungarian forests. A natural re-colonization has started.
At the same time their appearance causes some problems, too.
Farmers and gamekeepers fear for their cattle. Even the general public
thinks that wolf and lynx are bloodthirsty and vicious animals. But
these negative assumptions are generally baseless. Wolf and lynx
avoid humans if they can. They are very careful animals, living a
hidden life. They hunt and kill only of hunger. At the same time the
role of large carnivores in the ecological cycle is indispensable. Their
conservation is the common interest of all of us.
Some more information about wolf and lynx in Hungary
Wolf (Canis
lupus)
Distribution
The
European
wolf
(hereinafter wolf) is the
second
largest
mammalian predator of
Europe. Owing to its
remarkable adaptability
the wolf can be found in a
wide range of habitats
throughout Asia, Europe
and North America. Over
the last few centuries its
population
has
substantially
decreased
and
its
distribution
became patchy as a result
of ruthless killing and habitat deterioration. Its situation is especially worrying in
Europe. The species virtually disappeared from the western parts of Europe and
only isolated patches are found in the Iberian and Apennine peninsulas.
Relatively large populations survived in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the
Carpathians, Polish plains, Scandinavia and in the areas further east. Because of
the lack of extensive forest cover even in the above mentioned countries the
populations are rather isolated, although gradual increase in population size led
to new areas being repatriated.
The wolf population in Hungary had substantially decreased by the middle of
the 20th century and virtually disappeared from much of the country. In the
second half of the 20th century sporadic occurrences were recorded in the
Transdanubian region and the southern territories between the Danube-and Tisza
rivers as well as the Northern Mountain Range east of the Mátra Hills and in
Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. Little and often contradictory information is
available as to its present occurrences. It looks as if there had been two main
centers of repatriation formed by the end of the 20th century, which differ from
each other in both the origins of immigrating individuals and habitat
endowments.
Relatively constant and frequent occurrences were observed in the north-eastern
part of Hungary. The origin of repatriation is the populations of the Carpathian
Mountains. There is likely to be a stable and reproducing population in the area
of Aggtelek and Zemplén. These habitats were re-filled by migrating individuals
deriving from the Slovakian populations. Sporadically they also appear in the
Bükk Mountains. According to observations the population tends to occupy the
inner and enclosed forest of the mountains. Much of this forest is commercially
managed relying mainly on timber and big games. In the last one and a half
decades occurrences have also been observed in the open plains of SzatmárBereg County and along the Romanian border.
Some immigrating individuals from Bácska County in Yugoslavia also settled in
the southern part of the territory between the Danube and Tisza rivers. Much of
these forests are intensively managed acacia, black pine, poplar forests. These
are the most extensive forest covers of the country. The occurrences in this area
are less regular although individuals with cubs have also been observed.
Population size
Although we lack reliable data regarding the size of the European population
especially in the eastern parts, it is estimated to number not more than 25 000
individuals. Following a long period of decline the population is now on the
increase.
Since there has been no population size estimation carried out in the last four
decades there is no reliable data available concerning the size of the stock in
Hungary.
Based on shooting data, results of questionnaire surveys and field observations,
the size of the population shows an overall increasing tendency, in spite of
significant fluctuations. During the observations there were 1-3 individuals
moving together at a time. The rate of reproduction is, however, unknown.
Nevertheless, the size of the wolf population in Hungary didn’t exceed 20-25
specimens even in the best years of distribution between 1980 and 2005.
Protection status
The official judgment of the status of the wolf is remarkably
contradictory. Although the species is endangered and protected in the
EU (Convention of Bern, European Council Directive on Protection of
Natural and Wild Fauna and Flora 93/743 EEC.), its legal status varies
throughout Europe from unrestricted hunting to full protection. This
can be regarded as the reflection of the human-wolf conflict itself and
has a lot to do with the varying amount of damage caused by wolf in
the different countries.
In Hungary the wolf had been considered to be extinct until the
beginning of the 90’s. Since it was not on the list of protected species
its hunting was possible with the permission of the hunting authorities
and with the consent of the Nature Conservation Authority. Following
its spontaneous repatriation it was declared protected in 1993 and
strictly protected in 2001 with an intangible value of HUF 250 000.
Distribution of wolf in Europe and in Hungary
Lynx (Lynx lynx)
Distribution
Because of its special habitat
requirements
and
vulnerability the European
lynx (hereinafter lynx) has a
rather limited distribution
restricted to isolated patches
across Europe and in
Hungary. The European
stock is mainly found in the
high
mountains
of
Scandinavia, the Alps, the
Balkans,
and
the
Carpathians.
The
Lynx
pardina population of the
Iberian peninsula is regarded
by many as a separate
species. Even within its
limited area of distribution its population density has decreased substantially.
Noteworthy is the fact that in the study titled ‘The Threatened Mammals of
Europe’ commissioned by the European Council in 1993 the European lynx is
not mentioned for some reason (lack of information?).
The lynx was regarded as extinct in Hungary until the mid 1980’s when it
reappeared in Hungary due to an increase in its population size in the
Carpathians. Its occurrence is mostly confined to the Northern Mountains
closely associated with enclosed and undisturbed forests. In the last 15 years the
surveys carried out indicated both regular and occasional occurrences in the
Börzsöny, Mátra, Zemplén, and Aggtelek regions and occasional occurrences
were detected in the Bükk and Tarnavidék Hills.
Population size
Making an estimation of the real population size of the lynx in Europe is even
more difficult than that for the wolf due to its hidden way of life. All in all their
number can amount to 3-4000 specimens in Europe, about one third of which
live in the Carpathian region.
The lack of information and the weak reliability of available data mean a real
problem even in Hungary. Estimation of population size has not been taken for
four decades. According to our present knowledge - existing shooting statistics,
results of the mail questionnaire survey and the sporadic field observations - a
realistic estimation can put this figure to no more than 10-15 individuals even in
the best years of its distribution in Hungary since 1980 up till now. The rate of
reproduction is also unknown.
Protection status
There is a consensus of opinion with regard to the protection of lynx. The
species is endangered and protected in the EU (Bern Convention, 92/43EEC
European Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural and Wild Fauna and
Flora). However, it is worth to note that according to the EU system of subsidies
the lynx is not a priority species.
In Hungary the lynx was regarded as extinct until the late 80’s and shooting of
occasionally occurring specimens was possible only with a special permission.
From 1988 the lynx is strictly protected with an intangible value of HUF 500
000. Since it has obtained a protected status no legal killing has been recorded.
Distribution of lynx in Europe and in Hungary