MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS VRANCEA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LIFE08NAT/RO/000500 - Implementation Unit
LIFE+ LIFE URSUS Best practices and demonstrative actions for conservation of Ursus arctos species in the Eastern Carpathinas, Romania
Mid-Term Report Covering the project activities from 15.01.2010 to 31.08.2011
Septembre, 2011
LIFE Project Number
LIFE08 NAT/RO/000500 Mid-term Report Covering the project activities from 15.01.2010 to 31.08.2011 Reporting Date
10.10.2011 LIFE+ LIFE URSUS Best practices and demonstrative actions for conservation of Ursus arctos species in the Eastern Carpathinas, Romania Data Project Project location
Vrancea County, Covasna County, Harghita County
Project start date:
15.01.2010
Project end date:
20.12.2013
Total budget
515 066 â‚Ź
EC contribution:
386 300 â‚Ź
(%) of eligible costs
75% of total eligible budget
Data Beneficiary Name Beneficiary
Vrancea Environmental Protection Agency
Contact person
Mr. Silviu Chiriac
Postal address
2 Dinicu Golescu, code 620 106, Focsani, Vrancea, Romania
Telephone
+ 40-237-206 788
Fax:
+ 40-237-206 788
vrancealife@yahoo.co.uk
Project Website
www.carnivoremari.ro/lifeursus
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Table of contents 1. Executive summary 1.1. General progress 1.2. Assessment as to whether the project objectives and work plan are still viable 1.3. Problems encountered 2. Administrative part 2.1 Description of project management 2.2 Organigramme of the project team and the project management structure 2.3 Partnership agreements status and key content 3. Technical part 3.1 Actions 3.1.1 Action A.1 3.1.2 Action A.2 3.1.3 Action A.3 3.1.4 Action A.4 3.1.5 Action C.1 3.1.6 Action C.2 3.1.7 Action C.3 3.1.8 Action C.4 3.1.9 Action C.5 3.1.10 Action C.6 3.1.11 Action C.7 3.1.12 Action D.1 3.1.13 Action D.2 3.1.14 Action D.3 3.1.15 Action D.4 3.1.16 Action D.5 3.1.17 Action D.6 3.1.18 Action E.1 3.1.19 Action E.2 3.1.20 Action E.3 3.1.21 Action E.4 3.1.22 Action E.5 3.3 Envisaged progress until next report 4. Financial part 5. Annexes LIST OF ABREVIATIONS Project acronym
LIFE08 NAT/RO/000500
Beneficiary Environmental Protection Agency Vrancea
EPA VN
Partners Environmental Protection Agency Covasna
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
EPA CV
Environmental Protection Agency Harghita
EPA HR
Association for Biodiversity Conservation
ACDB
Association for Conserving Natural Values
ACNV
Others Risk Assessment Team
RAT
Animal Rescue Mobile Unit
ARMU
Large Carnivores Rehabilitation and Monitoring Centre
LCRMC
Putna-Vrancea Natural Park
PVNP
1. Executive summary 1.1. General progress LIFE URSUS project started on 15.01.2010 and the first three months have focused mainly on the development of administrative procedures, such as hiring the necessary staff, signing partnership agreements, starting of equipment procurement procedures, etc. A necessary place was insured for proper developing of project implementing unit and have been provided the stocks of supplies necessary for first months of activity. The entire project management team works in the space provided by EPA VN, other partners developing their activities in their own premises. Activities have been initiated to promote the project and the LIFE + program and there have been made the first informative materials (brochures, folders, shirts, pens). Preparatory activities in category "A" started, being met all deadlines, excepting the delay in making the GIS database. Opinion questionnaire aiming the way that locals perceive the target species and Natura 2000 sites have been run under the applying regulations. Damage assessment and achieving the database have been started since the beginning of the project, at this moment team responsible having sufficient data to assist in directing conservation measures or educational and information activities. At the same time, from the first months there have begun the concrete conservation activities of target species, being initiated activities to reduce damage in sites where bears cause problems, research and monitoring of active dens, intervention of RAT team (Risk Assessment Team) in order to capture and relocate of habituated individuals, the ARMU team interventions (Animal Rescue Mobile Unit) that focused on releasing some poached bears or confiscation of orphaned bear cub. Until now the LIFEURSUS project became well known in these three counties and even at national level, being requested the interventions and advices of project team in almost all situations when bears cause damages or when they are in difficulty. More than that, the expertise of project team became an element which often contribute in taking decisions referring at the management on national level of the target species. In the educational and informative activities it has been completed the implementation toolkit to promote the project and LIFE program and there have been initiated preparatory actions to launch other educational activities. In each county meetings were held with the institutions involved in brown bear management, being communicated project objectives and actions. At the headquarters of all partners and work stations there were installed panels to promote the project.
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Overall, the LIFEURSUS project respected initial planning, being met all targets proposed on each activities. Deadlines, products and reports were achieved in time, being assured the connectivity between activities and partners. 1.2.
Assessment as to whether the project objectives and work plan are still viable
The project objectives and the work plan are still viable as foreseen. There are no delays in activities implementing and there were no significant problems which to lead to offset of terms or modifications of the approved project. 1.3.
Problems encountered
By this time there were no significant problems in terms of project implementation, except for the first months of a lack of specializing financial administrator in the implementation of European funds and monitoring contracts with external partners. The situation was generated by the retirement of Mrs. Mara Plesa which was originally designated as financial administrator. At this moment this problem was overcome by part-time employment of Mrs. Plesa on the financial project administrator position, necessary funds being allocate through rescheduling personnel costs assigned to other categories of employees. 2. Administrative part 2.1 Description of project management The project management is conducted in accordance with the initial proposal. The project is coordinated by the project manager (Dr. Chiriac Silviu - EPA VN), project assistant (Miss. Mariana Gheorghiu - ACDB) and financial administrator (Mrs. Maria Plesa – starting with September 2010). Also, in the coordination structure of the project it is included the Working Group composed of one nominated representative of each partner. A database containing contact details of persons involved in project coordinating circulated among partners to encourage internal networking among involved institutions. The project manger carries out the following duties: Technical and financial supervision of actions carried out by the beneficiary and the project partners Supervision of the work done by the financial manager Determination and control of internal administrative rules Control of the technical performance of the project actions (timing, deliverables etc.) Organization and coordination of steering group meetings, reports Coordination of actions that are carried out on a multi-partner basis Communication with the EC and the external monitoring team Support of communication between partners Support to project participants about technical and administrative issues Assistant project manager carries out the following duties: direct coordinator of field actions, assist and report to the project manager the results of actions and operations and any problems during the project. Assistant project manager assure monitoring the actions success implemented in accordance with the provisions of action E2 based on the verification of sources and indicators initially established. In the attributions incumbent, the assistant manager coordinate (based on decisions taken by the working group and project manager), all partners activities and ensure the correctness of achieving target proposed in each action. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
The project manager is directly supported by a financial manager (also hired by the beneficiary with a project contract), who has the following duties: Supervision of all administrative procedures carried out by the project partners (e.g. staff contracts, purchasing procedures, requests of documentation etc.) Support of project partners about financial rules of the EC and eligibility of costs Support of project partners for financial statements Coordination the production of financial statements Control of financial statements delivered by project partners Control of project budget and potential changes 2.2 Organigramme of the project team and the project management structure
Director Comity of the project
Unit DG LIFE
Project’s working group (partners)
Project manager
Project manager’s assistant
Financial manager
Activity responsible staff
2.3 Partnership agreements status and key content All the agreements have been signed in January 2010 and the main articles included in the agreements were the following: - Subject (Including name of project) - Duration - Obligations of the beneficiary (including co-funding and communication with the EC) - Obligations of the associated beneficiary: actions the beneficiary is responsible for, deliverables and timing, relations between the associated beneficiary and other associated beneficiaries - Common obligations - Subcontractors - Civil liability - Conflicts of interest Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
- Technical activity reports: specifying the contents and deadlines of different types of inputs provided by the associated beneficiary - Communication actions, publicity for Community support and audio-visual products - Confidentiality - Financial reporting: includes details about timing and procedures of financial reporting activities - Estimated eligible costs and associated beneficiary’s contribution to the project - Payment terms: including bank details and exact timing and procedures with which the payments are made to the associated beneficiaries, also in relation to the timing of the financial reports - Ownership and exploitation of results - Commission financial audit - Checks and inspections - Termination of partnership agreement - Jurisdiction clause All the partnership agreements were annexed to the Inception Report. 3. Technical part Checklist of deliverable products and milestone during report period Name or no Deliverable of Deadline reference action Report of the first meeting of the partners, May 2010 A1 creation of the Working Group and Director Comity Report about the structure and work of the GIS database Application of the surveys regarding the perception of the local people on the target specie and Natura 2000 sites Elaboration of the public awareness rising campaign’s strategy Elaboration of a guide for the implementation of the protection systems in order to reduce damages. Spatial and time planning of the demonstrative activities for bear population level assessment in the game management areas Methodology for analyze the risk situations by RAT Annual reports about the activities of RAT
Date of completion
May 2010
A2
October 2010
October 2010
A3
August 2010
August 2010
A3
October 2010
October 2010
A4
Iuly 2010
Iuly 2010
C1
Iuly 2010
Iuly 2010
C2
March 2010
C2
November 2010
Organizing the training stage of ARMU
C3
March 2010
Annual report about ARMU’s activity
C3
December 2010
Permanent monitoring of the hibernation dens and insuring their protection Protocol of meetings for lobby action
C4
Annually between November - March July 2010
Annually between November March July 2010
Annually implementation of the protection systems Report regarding the implementation of the protection systems around livestocks, crops, beehives
C6
Annually between May - October November 2010
Annually between May October November 2010
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
C5
C6
March 2010 November 2010 March 2010 December 2010
Realizing of the project’s web page
D1
December 2010
December 2010
Poster A0 for the project’s promotion
D1
February 2010
February 2010
Newsletter
D1
December 2010
December 2010
Installing notice boards
D2
September 2010
Press conferences with field aplications.
D3
October 2010
Realizing of the toolkit for promotion of winter dens protection activities Project manager and project staff nominated (Project start up process completed)
D4
May 2011
September 2010 May 2011 October 2010 July 2010 August 2010
E1
February 2010
Meeting with the partners, signing contracts.
Code of the associated Deadline action A1 February 2010
Creation cartographic server for GIS data base
A2
May 2010
Elaboration the public awareness rising strategy
A3
October 2010
Realizing of the demonstrative guide for population level assessment methods Creation of the Risk Assesment Team - RAT
C1
May 2012
C2
February 2010
Insuring the functionallity of the Animal Resque
C3
March 2010
Realize of the project promotion toolkit
D1
December 2010
Realizing of the Natura 2000 education toolkit
D5
May 2011
Annual report of the monitoring of the project’s success
E2
December 2010
Name of the Milestone
February 2010
Date of completion February 2010 May 2011 October 2010 May 2012 February 2010 March 2010
Mobil Unit - ARMU
December 2010 May 2011 December 2010
3.1.1 ACTION A.1: Creating the project’s implementing team and the Steering Committee Objective: Establishing each partner responsibilities, communicate the main terms according to contracts and creating the main bodies of the project The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. Expected results: A functional Project Implementing Team, Steering Committee and Project Secretary, insuring communication between partners and singing contracts between partners Progress: The project “Best practices and demonstrative actions for conservation of Ursus arctos species in Eastern Carpathians, Romani”, financed by European Union and implemented by Vrancea Environment Protection Agency with the support of the project partner institutions like Environment Protection Agency Covasna, Environment Protection Agency Harghita, Association for Conservation of Biodiversity and Association for Conserving Natural Values, had started in January 2010 with preparatory discussions for establishing the management structure and project Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
implementation, a first step being to establish the project Implementation Team at the First Meeting of Partners. The First Meeting of Partners was achieved on 21 January 2010 at Targu Secuiesc, Covasna County where reprezentative from all partners involved in project development participated. This meeting had as propose to create the implementing team and the Steering Commitee of LIFEURSUS project, being also finalised the contracts between bebeficiary and partners. At this meeting there were discussed and clarified many detailes about project implementation. The report of the First Meeting of Partners was achieved in March 2010. At this moment the Implementation Team includes: Project manager - Silviu Chiriac; Assistant project manager – Mariana Gheorghiu, Financial administrator - Maria Plesa The Implementation Team and project secretariat was developing their activities into the headquarters of Vrancea Environment Protection Agency in Focsani, in a space having special destination. Project secretariat insured the communication between partners putting of their disposure a list with main contact data of all institutions and persons involved in project activities. In accordance with project actions, there were established the attribution of each job from the project and regulations of activities developing and the job files referring to the attributions of the persons which were followed to be employed. There were established the responsibilities for each member of project coordination equip and was signed the detailed agreements with each partners. The agreements with partners were signed according with CP and Romanian legislation. At the end of January 2010, in accordance with partnership convention provisions, EPA VN signed together with partner institutions, contracts necessary for implementing project activities from technical and financial point of view. As it was established at the First Meeting of the Partners, EPA VN organised the second meeting of partners. This meeting had as objective detailed establishing of implementing manner of each action from the project, responsibilities, persons and resources involved, establishing the working planning for achieving of each activity. In this context every member of the Working Group achieved a proposal on concrete modalities for implementing the actions which responds. This meeting was organised in Baraolt locality, Covasna County in period 18-21 February 2010 at Cormos hut. In order to reduce costs and time necessary for organising some meetings with all partners, the project management team (manager, assistant and financial) there were made visits at each partner, whenever it was necessary. During these visits there have been verified financial documents and technical reports on per activity which is in responsibility of each partner and there were visited areas in which there have been implemented field activities. Project assistant and financial manager have permanently kept in touch with project responsible from each partner and with institutions accountants for assuring financial flux necessary for activities implementing. Also, the project implementing team has taken steps to the Environmental Ministry for assuring co-financing and recovering the value added tax, fact achieved until present. Problems: There were no problems. Plans to continue: The project secretary will ensure in the future proper communication between partners. After delivering the mid-term report, in November there will be organised the Annual Meeting of Partners, following to be analysed the plans for continuation of implementing the activities. At this meeting there will participate members of the working group, the responsibles with activities implementation but also heads of partner institutions and organisations. Annexes: no case Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
3.1.2 ACTION A.2: Creating an integrated GIS database to support and demonstrate conservation actions of the project Objective: Support for long-term monitoring strategies for the conservation and management of the bear’s population for 15 Natura 2000 sites is assured. Expected results: An up to date consistent online database for 15 Natura 2000 sites in compliance with EU INSPIRE Directive, serving as good example of cooperation for the common conservation action on brown bear within three counties. Progress: In accordance with the proposed planning, in the Inception Report steps have been met, so, beginning with 7/12/2011, the database and the web-GIS geo-portal were installed on the server purchased and installed at the EPA Vrancea. In order to achieve the GIS database and web-GIS portal, each partner has provided to the producer of the database information relating to: the natural elements (geology, soil, hydrology, meteorology), administrative limits of territorial units, hunting management funds, Natura 2000 limits, nature reserves of national interest limits, categories of land use, stakeholders, areas of conflict between locals and target species, points were dens have been located, areas of orphaned or abandoned baby coming, habituation risk areas, passage areas over anthropic barriers etc. Specific data relating to damage, signs of bears presence or competing species, limit of the crossing areas, ecological corridors, inside limits, important habitats for wintering were mapped in particular, during the field trips. On 28/02/2011, based on a service contract, it was delivered the GIS database. Its characteristics are: • All maps developed in GIS are in stereographical 1970projection system; • Species and / or habitats distribution maps have an accuracy of determination for specific items for a scale at least 1:10,000; • Mapping of species and habitat characterization take into account the minimum area mapping according to their specificity; • digitization processes meet the same scale visualization; • Digital format of cartographic database allows interoperability between different GIS analysis programs; • Each layer of geospatial data has an unitary topology; • The maps are labeled taking into account the existing map conventional signs; • The metadata were introduced under the INSPIRE Directive, following specifications for geospatial databases of protected areas. Content of GIS database for the LIFEURSUS project is presented as Annex of this report and can be viewed by accessing online the project web portal. Regarding the implementation of software for online use and on line operation through the web of the GIS spatial database for LIFEURSUS project, it was developed and it is operating through a foreign assistance contract, a software which is a relational database system database with spatial extension, able to maintain data integrity and accuracy. In this respect, this software ensure spatial modules operation necessary using GIS vector information collected by all LIFE project partners, satisfying the following requirements: • Digital format of the cartographic database allows interoperability between different GIS analysis programs; • Store a large amount of information referring on the characteristics of habitats populated by bears (rock, relief, soil type, climatic factors, type of forest, functional groups, types, actual composition, Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
goal composition, consistency, volume per hectare etc.) ; • Store information in another form than the tabular type, such as vectorial geospatial data represented by points, lines and polygons; • Achieve different sorts querry type based on the primary information; • Is highly dynamic and allows the access of multiple users simultaneously; • performs secure backups of information held; • Communication between partners in terms of critical data is made secure way; • The application respect the INSPIRE specifications for geospatial databases of protected areas, having a special interface for viewing, insertion and editing of them, and also editing the spatial metadata; • Ensure access based on username and password. Each operation is recorded in a history with necessary data in operator identification and correction of possible operating errors. The web-GIS portal developing a on-line client application through the project web page www.carnivoremari.ro where there are available two versions of the database: a public version with limited access for general pubic (contains thematic maps and information on project activities, conflict areas, limits of national protected areas and Natura 2000 sites areas in different conservation status, contacts data and territorial jurisdiction of public institutions, managers of protected areas and wildlife management funds etc. a full and secure version, up-dated by EPA Vrancea at which they have on-line access the partners in this project. This version provides analysis and sustainable decisions in real-time, ensure completion with information by all partners and first of all ensure coherence of activities implemented to achieve project objectives. By accessing the GIS database, each partner find daily updates on the implementation of project activities, which are the areas and activities implemented during that period by a particular partner, where are located at one time the field teams, where are the location of monitored bears and can download full details of all activity related to the conservation of bears within the three counties.
Problems: There are no problems encountered. Plans to continue: Permanently up dating the database and use GIS portal by all partners. Annexes: The content of the GIS database for LIFEURSUS project.
3.1.3 ACTION A.3: Elaboration of a strategy for implementing the raising awareness actions, based on the assessment of the local people’s perception of the target specie in the Natura 2000 site’s ecological network Objective: Identifying the actions and communication necessities with target groups for a good implementation of the awareness campaign The objective is achievable according with initial project planning Expected results: Achieving strategy and implementing the raising awareness campaign, report on the efficiency of awareness campaign Progress: Actions concerning the implementation of awareness campaigns in this project are preceded by the application of some opinion questionnaires that have shown how the locals perceive the target species and the Natura 2000 network. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
The questionnaire model was taken from LIFE02NAT/RO/8576 project and has been updated with new questions related to the current context. The research had as main objective studying the current level of information and attitude of the population in areas overlapping with Natura 2000 areas, with the cohabitation areas of humans with bears in the counties of Harghita and Covasna. The research had a total sample of 433 people in the above areas, aged between 16 and 60 years. Questionnaires were applied in period July-August 2010, according with the random algorithm of sampling, taking into account the overlapping areas of the towns of Natura 2000 areas in the cohabitation of humans with bears in the counties of Harghita and Covasna, and also the number of households in each village, as it follows: - A number of 26 localities from Harghita County, in which there were applied a total of 303 questionnaires; - A total of 24 localities in Covasna County, in which there were applied a total of 130 questionnaires. The results of studies conducted in counties Harghita and Covasna were compared with those obtained from surveys conducted in Vrancea County, in the projects LIFE05NAT/RO/000170 and LIFE02NAT/RO/8576. So, at the beginning of September 2010, was achieved interpretation of questionnaires, these informations being presented in the report “Identification of actual level of information and attitude of local population from overlapping areas of Natura 2000 sites and people-bears cohabitation areas from Harghita and Covasna counties, based on an opinion survey applied on field in period July-September 2010”. The report was achieved by a team formed by Leonardo Bereczky, Anegroaie Ximena from ACNV, Lucian Benca – psychology student and Robert Kovacs – sociologist. Based on the interpretation of these questionnaires, it was developed an implementation strategy of awareness campaign that highlight which are the key messages, target groups that are required to be achieved, which are most at risk localities and where are the “hot” areas from the negative attitudes about bears point of view. The “Implementation strategy of awareness campaign regarding the perception of local people on brown bear (Ursus arctos) and of Natura 2000 sites” was realized by Leonardo Bereczky, Ximena Anegroaei from ACNV and Robert Kovacs - sociology specialist, being made from the following chapters: INTRODUCTION Context of the action On what is based our strategy? PRELIMINARY STUDIES Conclusions drawn from the study Key messages transmitted in the awareness campaign TARGET GROUPS Primary target group Secondary target group Ways of working with target groups Education in schools Ways of informing tourists Materials and publications proposed to be made in education and awareness campaign LANGUAGE USED COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES SWOT ANALYSIS Annexes delivered with the inception report: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Report about the actual level of information and attitude of local population from project areas about the existence of brown bear and of the Natura 2000 The questionnaire applied in Covasna and Harghita counties Problems: There are no problems encountered. Plans to continue: The same set of questionnaires will be applied at the end of the project to assess the changing perception and obviously the local response to the implemented campaign. Annexes: strategy of awareness campaign strategy of awareness campaign 3.1.4 ACTION A.4: Analyze the bear damages at the entire project’s area level in order to establish the protection system’s implementing sites Objective: Reducing conflicts through permanent assessing the level and locations of damage and by developing a standardized methodology in order to applying the best systems and methods. Expected results: Report on analysis about damages produced by bear on the entire project area; elaboration of a methodology on implementing the protection system for crops, orchards, sheepfolds and bee farms. Progress: A first step in this activity was to develop a database about the history of damage production by bears in the current project. So, all partners have provided to the responsible of action (ACDB) data held on bear damage in the Vrancea Covasna and Harghita counties. The next step was sending to all mayors and hunting managers of the project area, some prestamped forms, that after completing the required information were returned by mail to each Local Environmental Protection Agency. After validation, the data were inserted into a database which automatically converts the damage caused by bears in a currency unit, so, being updated a vectorised map for locations with high levels of incidents. Database on the damage caused by bears is GIS compatible and contains information on: location of damage (village, municipality, county, x/y coordinates), damage type (sheep, cows, pigs, corn, fruit trees, beehives, etc), owner (name, contact information), favourable items (type of enclosure, distance from the forest, travel routes, number of guard dogs, shepherds number, etc.), date, time, systems of protection used, total value of damage at the community level (in euros). The database is continuously supplemented with information received from all partners in related activities (C1, C2, C7), information provided by fund managers hunting, minutes provided by Local Agencies of Environmental Protection and information obtained from local mass-media. During the field data collection, we directly surveyed the implicated farmers and livestock owners. The location of every damage case has been registered and overlaid on the map of the area. Analyzing each case, the following aspects were observed: The period when the damage occurred. Distance of the damage site from human settlements or any urban area. Favourable habitat factors which can enhance the approaching of the bears to the damage site. Used guarding methods (e.g. solid or electric fences, guarding dogs, nr. of shepherds, etc.) – obstacles over the bear had to pass in order to enter into the farm or other damage site. When the damage was repeated within one week, we observed weather was the same bear implicated. Were more incidents signalled in the same day/night in the area? Number of hours/days passed between the occurrences of next attacks in the same place. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Damaged item: domestic animals species, beehives, agriculture field, etc.
Analysis of collected data in the field were completed through achieving and editing of a “Methodology for implementing the protection systems for crops, orchards, sheepfolds and apiaries for reducing the damages caused by bears” that directs how the project team implements protection systems for sheepfolds, crops, bee farms and orchards. Through this methodology it has been established the most vulnerable sites on bear attacks, the technical characteristics necessary to diminish damage according to the area to be protected, there were described minimum measures to reduce damage in different situations and types of farms. Methodology also shows the institutions involved in activities to reduce damage and also promotes the work of institutions that can intervene in situations of conflict and risk. It also presented also the legislative context, referring on concrete ways to pay compensation for damage caused by bears. It was achieved in July 2010 by Silviu Chiriac, Gelu Radu and Radu Mihai Sandu from EPA VN and Ioan Mihai Pop from EPA CV. According with project planning, it was achieved the annual report referring to the damages analyses and the implementation manner of protection systems for animal farms, apiaries and crops. In this report, besides damages analyses for that year, there are detailed the implemented activities in the Action C6. The report contains: General context Human-bear conflicts Where bears cause damages? Elements that favour the damages Preliminary analysis for damages Systems and methods for reducing damages made by bears - electrical fences - cords with flags - optical-acoustic-olfactory mixed systems - repellent substances - guard dogs - adversive conditioning Evaluation forms Conclusions With the inception report there were delivered the following: Methodology for implementing of protection systems of crops, livestock and apiary to reduce damage caused by bears; Map of the distribution of damage at the project level; Photo annex Problems: No problems. Plans to continue: Constantly filling the database referring on damage caused by bears in the three counties overlapping to project area and directing the project team to implement safety systems to areas with high incidents; Sending an official report by the Ministry of Environment in order to reduce rates of intervention on the bears population in relation to the actual level of damage, given that at this time the bear represents a strictly protected species and its shooting being accepted by the European Commission only in the given context a high level of damage. Annexes: Report about the damages level and implementing the protection systems for 2010 The map with damages produced by bear registered in 2011 3.1.5 ACTION C.1: Demonstrative application of a method set for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the bear population in areas strictly demarcated and administrated from game management point of view Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Status of the action : in progress. Preparation of action implementation began by achieving by the EPA Covasna team, in late July 2010, of spatial and temporal planning of the implementation manner of the demonstrative methods. Planning was done by collecting information in addition to those already existing in the period March-May 2010 from the entire project area. It was followed mainly te moment of leaving the den in different places of the project area. It was also considered the possibility of placing the capture stations at existing feeding points and concluded that these points do not meet the assumed objectives, but are useful for application of tetracycline. During spring-summer 2010, the team accompanied the hunting fund management staff in various points of the project area to establish contact with field personnel and to identify key issues regarding implementation methods. During the year 2010 there were studied over 50 scientific publications that were considered to be necessary to achieve the methodology and working procedure necessary for action implementation. During the meeting of the Working Group for Conservation of large carnivores in May 2010, took place preliminary discussions on the proposed methods in which participants showed great interest in these methods. Working group members suggested paying attention to the error that may occur due to weather conditions. At the end of 2010 ground equipment were purchased, the transmission 4x4 vehicle being functional. Since November 2010 there were several consultations with specialists from the Faculty of Forestry Brasov, with representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, as well as collaborators from other fields (statistics, biology) to complete the initial version of the guide for applying the methods evaluation. It was recruited as a volunteer in a project team, an expert biologist, specializing in sampling and statistical analysis. It was completed in June the internal version (for the project team) of the working guide, consisting of presentation the manner of data collecting and interpretation. Guide in this working form has been analyzed in the working group for large carnivores which took place in 23-24 February 2011. Members present at the meeting considered that the methods can be applied as shown, following that after a first application session, to be organized a new meeting to discuss results and problems identified. Beginning with March 7th we started field work on schedule. I started the activities in covering transects in the planned sites, while being followed the presence of bears to the observatories for the application of tetracycline, and also the presence of females with cubs. In this action each established transects was covered three times at an interval of 10 days. In total there were covered 28 transects on three funds hunting (Herculian, Lepsa, Madaras), the total number of coverings being of 84 cover/session, representing a total length of 168 km. Specific activities were completed in April 15, now being completed primary processing of data obtained. Beginning with April 4, 2011, we started the implementing of traps camera method, in four funds hunting in Covasna and Harghita. For this activity there were used 20 cameras with sensors. They were placed randomly in the selected sites, watching the coverage of the same sites where transects method was applied. In the four hunting funds proposed for this method, there were mounted a total of 120 capture stations for a period of 60 days From April 18 it was started the monitoring of bear observatories, feeding points, for administration of tetracycline, the method presented in the project. 6 feeding points were monitored, watching the Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
number of bears present and their arrival times. Of the six observation points, just four points gave good conditions for tetracycline administration, the number of present bears at these points being about. 18 to 23 exemplars. Since May 3rd we started the activity of tetracycline administration with bait (about 13 to 16 exemplars) and directly by using compressed air gun (5 exemplars). Since the fall – winter period it will be proceeded at the request and analyze of bone samples from the bears to be harvested. In parallel with transects monitoring action and camera mounting action, it was pursued also the presence of females with cubs in the target areas to provide starting points for females with cubs inventory. At the time of this report the method is in implementation being not done an analysis of the obtained data. Until this report there were not identified significant problems of implementation activity. Technical problems are caused by weather conditions affecting the organization of the field activities on short periods. Equipment needed for field work was purchased, being in good condition. 2011 Month Scent statio+Camera traps Finnish Triangles Ground Snow Tracking Survey Transects Tetracicline Unduplicated counts of reproductive units
3
4
5
X
X
X
X
X
X
6
7
8
2012 9
10
11
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
2013 9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
X X
X
Implemented field activities Original planned field activities New planned field activities Final guide for population assessment Midterm report Deliverables products of the project Milestone of the project Field activity preparation, data analysis
X
Problems: No problems. Plans to continue: In the next period, it will be achieved the centralization of collected data, action what will be realized in early 2012, with the whole project working group following that all problems identified to be discussed and analyzed to improve methods. It also will be a first processing and interpretation of recorded data. A first report on the action results will take place in November-December 2011. Annexes: Partial rezults of the proposed methods implementation 3.1.6 ACTION C.2: Creation and demonstrative working at the entire project’s area level of an entity which will establish the risks and necessary measures in situations created by problem bears Status of the action : in progress Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
At the end of February 2010 the Risk Assessment Team (RAT) was created through designation by each partner of at least one specialist. The new established RAT team started developing a risk assessment methodology, coordinated by EPA Covasna team. The first case was recorded in late February at EPA Vrancea, being a good opportunity to establish working procedures to be followed. The first draft of the methodology was analyzed in the working group, established in the project at the end of March 2010. At the meeting of 11 May 2010 at the National Working Group for Large Carnivore Conservation, was discussed by members of the group's the proposal from the RAT team, the assessment methodology. Minor form changes were proposed, the proposed principles being accepted by all members, observing that the methodology can be used also by people with low knowledge on the carnivores. At the end of May 2010, the methodology was discussed also with Romanian beneficiary representative of the LIFE07/NAT/IT/000502 project, a project dealing also with man-bear conflicts issues, part of the RAT methodology proposing being taken by the LIFEXTRA project team. In late June, the methodology has been officially submitted for approval the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The methodology contains information on project LIFEURSUS and background information on national and European brown bear conservation, useful information on bear biology and ethology. The methodology is developed on the procedure for obtaining the information needed to assess the conflict, the mode of action on the field for collecting and interpreting data and principles for establishing the risk based on regular monitoring of the conflict zone. In attempt to facilitate the work of team members and others, the methodology is supplemented by standard forms and reports. There is also information on inter institutional communication and ways to involve stakeholders. In relation with ARMU team from the EPA VN, methodology took over the standard procedure developed by this team, for capturing, marking and release bear exemplars. Ministry of Environment and Forests, through Biodiversity Directorate endorsed the proposed methodology for assessing the risks posed by the presence of bears in inhabited areas by notice no. 115058/21.06.201, (it was attached as Annex to the inception report). MMP also informed us that the methodology can be used also outside the project area if there will be specific request. From March 2010 to August 2011, RAT team analyzed in the project area 26 conflicts inside or in immediate vicinity of villages (3 in Vrancea County, 9 in Covasna and 14 in Harghita). In the project it was carried out, according to schedule, one activity report for 2010, the activity report for 2011 following to be made in November. In this progress report we attach a copy after RAT report for 2010 and a partly report on 2011. In 2011, two cases were reactivated in 2010 that is recorded files from Tusnad and Balvanyos, in both cases bear conflicts being caused by the presence of garbage within the city, this being a historical problem, waste management being poor. Also a completely atypical third case was registered both in 2010 and particulary in 2011, a military unit in which three bear exemplars (a juvenile and a female with a cub) feeding during June-October, in the context in which 90% of the military units surfaces are in the forest. In this activity, ARMU team intervened in three cases for the relocation of five bear exemplars (a juvenile bear, an adult male and a female bear with two cubs). For marking relocated specimens there were used collars purchased per project, and for the cubs there were used collars from ACNV.A collar purchased in the project was mounted on a bear exemplar caught in a snare in the immediate vicinity of the Ojdula village, so far this bear showing habitual behavior, without providing bear relocation to another area.
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
After a year of implementation we found it necessary to reduce the number of forms included in the methodology, simplifying regulations and establish repellents methods with immediate effect, in order to ensure a better perception of the locals on the RAT team. During this period a part of the RAT information toolkit (posters, flyers) were distributed in the project area. We edited 2000 posters (in two languages), 7500 flyers (2500 in Romanian and 5000 in Romanian and Hungarian language) and 1700 business cards for all the RAT Members. The printed material contains information about RAT Team and the contact information of the EPAs where reclamation should be made. The materials are distributed in all three counties from the project area, in the villages where the possibility of bear presence exists. Part of the necessary equipment is already purchased (night vision binoculars for night observation). Also we already order three GPS/GSM brown bears collars model GPS PRO Light-2 Collar from Vectronic Aerospace GmbH, from Germany. Other three collars will be purchased in the in the folowing months. During this period the involvement of other public institution involved in bear management was small. There is also a small confidence of the general public that the public institution will solve the problems, and the results is that part of the conflicts are not reported. Also in some cases the EPA HR RAT members have to travel on them expensive to the areas were problems occurred. Problems: No problems. Plans to continue: During the following period the methodology will be simplified by reducing the number of forms and will establish repellents methods with immediately implementation after the conflict analysis, in order to improve public perception of the RAT team. It will continue the campaign for distribute posters and leaflets with promoting activities. Annexes: Report of the 2010 activities and results (EN)
3.1.7 ACTION C.3: Extending of the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit (ARMU)’s action range at the entire level of the project area and insuring of rapid interventions for capturing, relocating and monitoring of problem bears Objective: Prevention through different actions of rescue, trap release, relocation, monitoring of brown bear population decline caused by poaching, accidental killing of specimens from human-bear conflict areas. Expected results: Extension and training of ARMU’s team, promotion of the activities and interventions. Saving of some poached bears at the whole project level. Decrease of the number of killed problem bears and their relocation. Reducing the conflicts with local people by relocation of problem bears. Progres Animal Rescue Mobile Unit - ARMU team - and the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores - CRCM - were established in LIFENAT05/RO/000170 project, “Enhancing the protection system for large carnivore in Vrancea County”, implemented between November 2005 and November 2009. The Animal Rescue Mobile Unit which is directly related to the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores, is one of the basic conservation work, through the concrete action, continuous presence in the territory and permanent impact that is perceived. Practical Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
component for saving wild animals has two elements indissolubly linked, both through additional functions they perform, and by specialist staff serving them. The first component, the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores - represented by the building in Lepsa Funicular, which implies the existence of areas of care medical and temporarily held of animals, representing the base of shelter and work for the field team. The second component is the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit materialized in the field pick-up having function of veterinary ambulance. Considering the fact that at the time of the project start - January 2010 – there was an ARMU functional team, but with local authorities exclusively for Vrancea County, it was necessary development of a new Regulation / protocol for operation of the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit and the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores si pregatirea noilor membri pentru extinderea capacitatii de actiune. Between 27 -28 April 2010 took place at Lepsa, at the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores, the first training session for new team ARMU members. Accommodation for participants in training sessions was provided to the CMRC, and transport costs were borne individually. List of participants included the ARMU team made in previously implemented projects, Radu Mihai Sandu, Silviu Chiriac, Gelu Radu and Cosmin Stanga, Florin Vulpoiu - veterinarian and members opted for team extends: Ioan Mihai Pop from EPA Covasna, Szilard Szabo and Jozsef Both from EPA Harghita and Leonardo Bereczky and Ximena Anegroaiei from ACNV and George Vlad - veterinarian. For greater mobility of ARMU activities it was made a cage for wild animals transport. Cage features are represented by considerable size and reduced weight, the possibility to be used without being installed on a car, being easy to carry only by two team members. Relocation of all captured and tranquilised exemplars, in ARMU interventions, was achieved with transport cage made in the project and with pik-up special designated for this purpose. At the Center of Monitoring and Rehabilitation for Large Carnivores it is ensured permanency of ARMU team through presence of at least one member of implementation team assisted by volunteer staff. For volunteer staff, through the project budget there are supported food and transport costs. Building condition of the Center of Monitoring and Rehabilitation for Large Carnivores led besides actual maintenance works also achieving some Slimicides treatment of wood. Power generation system which was based on a generator that uses gasoline was doubled by commissioning of a panels system for converting solar energy into electricity. This system can sustain normal energy consumption of the Center, requiring input of electric generator only in special situations. Through using the solar system, emissions of CO2 and noise is not a stress factor for animals in the Center. Increasing the number of animals simultaneously held at the Center led the extension of existing enclosure for ungulates. Inside the Center, it was surrounded a space of approx. 500 sqm. with possibility of connection with existing modular system. For feeding specimens of wild fauna at the Center, there were regularly purchased and stored amounts of specific feed (grain, alfalfa, feed concentrates, milk). Veterinary nurse within the ARMU team is provided by veterinarians Florin Vulpoiu and George Vlad working based on external assistance contracts. Proper functioning of the Centre and especially its permanency service are always conditioned by the continued existence of the amount of gasoline needed for electricity generator, wood for heating and current maintenance consumables. For harvesting of forage and grass cutting in both the Centre and in actions related to the installation of crop, sheepfolds and apiaries protection against damage caused by bears, it was bought a motorcycle - scythe
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
In order to inform local authorities and locals in the area of project implementation about the existence of ARMU and the Center, it was designed a poster and a leaflet promoting their actions, following to be published and distributed in the area of project implementation Between January 15, 2010 and August 30, 2011 ARMU worked in actions aimed at 28 exemplars of the species Ursus arctos; - 1 exemplars released from improvised traps and returned to the natural environment; - 5 exemplars captured and relocated; - 22 exemplars (cubs) taken in rehabilitation programs in the centers of Lepsa - Vrancea and Balan, Harghita. Seven of these specimens were taken from the project area; In the same period, ARMU has been duly of 5 cases of bears immobilized by poachers in traps in the project implementation area, but of these, one died before ARMU arrival, for another exemplar the hunting manager, due to irrecoverable state decided to euthanize the bear, and in three cases the team has not found the bears, which were self-released. In detail, in the period between January 15, 2010 and August 30th, 2011 activities of Animal Rescue Mobile Unit - ARMU - and the Monitoring Centre and Rehabilitation of Large Carnivores - CRCM – there are noted the following points: In January 2010, the ARMU team made several trips to Vintileasca town for capturing in order to relocate of a bear with habituating trends. Although this period is overlapping on winter sleep period, the specimen was observed in households of the Vintileasca built village. Field team installed capture cages in households where bear caused damage, but because of not returning in any of these places, it was not possible to capture the problem bear. Pronounced decrease of temperature in early February was likely the main reason because of which it has not been reported the bear presence in this area. The area was further monitored until mid-February, during which there was no longer register bears presence inside locality, after that the case being declared closed; • On 23.06.2010 the ARMU team was announced by the existence in the area Lepsa, right next to DN2M national road, a bear cub. The specimen was taken and transferred for integrate in the rehabilitation period at the Balan - Harghita Center. Investigations conducted in the region where the bear cub was found, revealed that the in that area, on the day before, there were initially two cubs. Heavy road traffic in the region, and stress-induced by the human presence to which were added flashes of tourists cameras, have made that one cub to depart from that place, before they can be picked up by ARMU. • After the evaluation made by RAT for a bear specimen present in the Bodoc area, the EPA Covasna team members in collaboration with the region's hunting fund manager decided to capture it. Female specimen was captured on 24.06.2010 and after attaching the GPS transmitter having frequency of 150,030 it was relocated in favourable habitats in eastern of Covasna County. The bear continue to be monitored also at present. • RAT team and staff of the EPA Covasna developed specific assessment procedure to establish the need of capturing for relocation of a specimen bear from Malnas village area. On 05.07.2010 ARMU team travelled on capturing location and took a male bear specimen captured, which it was carried in an area with favorable habitat at approx. 40 km. distance. • On the evening of 13 July 2010, ARMU team was informed of the possible presence of a bear in an improvised trap immobilized in an area with meadows and orchards situated between the villages Haulisca and Coza, without specifying the exact location. Confirmation of information by fund manager hunting and exact identifying of specimen was made around 11:00 p.m. hours, in an area with no car access and without guarantee of a safe intervention for the team. They led to programming the ARMU intervention at 5:00 o’clock on 14 July. At the intervention moment of ARMU team on the site, the bear was not found. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
• In the evening of 3 April 2011, the ARMU team was informed of possible present of an immobilized bear trapped in a improvised trap in an area of meadows and orchards, located near the village of Andreiasu de Jos, without being able to deduct exact location. The information was confirmed during the night and ARMU team reached the ground at around 6 o’clock. At the edge of an isolated private property located on the left side of the Valea Paraul Ursului, there were identified traces of a bear exemplar caught in a metal snare. Until the ARMU arrival, the exemplar has selfreleased by breaking metal snare, probably the trap remaining across the member that it was immobilized. • As a result of assessing achieved according with RAT procedure, it was decided to capture and relocate a bear and two cubs having 20 – 22 months which accompanying the female. The bear family used to feed the with a daily frequency at a garbage next to the railway station in the Baile Tusnad village. ARMU team went to town on 3 May in Tusnad, and installed a cage to capture. There followed a period of five days to attract bears and determination to enter the trap. The location was monitored continuously during this period of team members. On the evening of May 9, 2011, by triggering cage gates with a remote, have succrrded to capture female bear and two cubs. To the tranquilized specimens there were made biometric measurements and there were mounted GPS transmitters. All three family members were transported and relocated to a wildlife fund in Vrancea county, at considerable distance from human settlements. • Members of ARMU team moved with specific equipment for capture and acquisition of 22 exemplars of a bear (cubs aged between 3 and 7 months). Most cubs, 18 samples, were taken in the period from May to July of each year. The period is distinguished from that perspective such interval with the highest risk of developing various reasons of separation cases of pups under a year from mothers. ARMU took cubs of the data of 25/02/2010, 25/05/2010, 07/06/2010, 23/06/2010, 23/07/2010, 09/09/2010 (2 exemplars), 12.05/2011, 16/05/2011, 21/05/2011, 30/05/2011 (4 exemplars), 02/05/2011, 02/06/2011 (2 exemplars), 09.06.2011, 02.07/2011, 03/07/2011, 03/08/2011 (2 exemplars). • ARMU took over on 10 July 2010 from the illegal detained owners and transferred to Monitoring and Rehabilitation Center in Lepsa Funicular, two specimens of the species Cervus elaphus. • On June 14, 2011 ARMU took over from unlawfully detained and transferred to the Center for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Lepsa Funicular, an exemplar of species Capreolus capreolus with age about. 4-6 weeks. By overlaying maps of bear presence monitored in period 2003 - 2010 with maps of land cover types and considering the significant production of fruit in orchards (apples, plums, nuts), it will be designate areas of potential risk of poaching with improvised snares. Between July to September of each year there are made fieldwork activities in these areas to identify and eliminate traps installed and discourage this type of problem animal combat. The action is doubled by promoting methods to reduce conflict through using of electrified fences, repellents substances and visual and acoustic chasing devices. The existence into the Center, of specimens included in rehabilitation programs, determine the presence and permanent assistance from Centre staff. ARMU team members, have attended using specific equipment and instruments at action of biomarkers administration to bears. Problems: No problems. Plans to continue: To ensure the functioning of CRMCM Lepsa, it will ensure permanent staff (the project team members and volunteers). ARMU team will intervene whenever necessary in specific activities. Annexes: Report of activity for 2010
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
3.1.8 ACTION C.4: Reducing of juvenile mortality caused by human disturbance with the protection of hibernation dens in the cub nourishing period Objective: Reducing of juvenile mortality caused by human disturbance with the protection of hibernation dens in the cub nourishing period Expected results: Achieving a detailed map with the hibernation dens of the entire project area level and updating the management measures with den protection actions Reducing cub abandon on the range of the entire project area and reducing natural habitats degradation which are proper for hibernation Report regarding the influence of climate change on the winter sleep of the brown bear Progress: Identifying favorable areas for winter sleep and dens precise location was permanently made using the following sources of information: • Analysis of forest maps of forestry areas; • Hunting management fund files; • Consulting forestry field staff and managers of hunting; • Information obtained in wildlife conservation projects implemented previously (LIFE 02NAT/RO/8576 and LIFE 05NAT/RO/000170); • Movement of the action implementation team in areas with favorability for dens existence. Based on these sources there have been identified until 01 September 2011 on the area of project implementation: - 76 areas with dens and areas where bears have repeatedly wintering in the last 5-7 years. Dimension of these areas are proportional to its precision of determination. In cases where more precise knowledge of some areas, there have been designated areas restricted to up to 500-600 square meters., while in other cases, the surfaces were extended up to maxim 5 ha. The table of attributes in the database, include along vectors of precise location, indicatives of development units (u.a.) and the production unit (U.P.) overlapped. - 61 dens for which it has been achieved precise location and there were made measurements of physical parameters. Of these, 29 were active in the previous season. Monitoring of each den was made based on a file type of with information collected in the field, at the time of registration location, is found entirely in the table of attributes of GIS database made in the action A2. The main parts of the monitoring file are: geographical coordinates of the location, physical characteristics (slope, orientation) of slopes, orientation directions of the cavity axes, physical parameters of the cavity (size), distance from permanent water course, and to the communications ways. Entering all this information in GIS and its processing, allows for complex correlations as part of research in order to achieve action objectives. Action identification and monitoring of areas for wintering and dens is a continuous process. In accordance with the monitoring protocol by means of surveillance with camera, each field presence of staff in the monitoring area is an opportunity to supplement the data. All information on wintering areas and bear dens were structured GIS database format. Monitoring systems of bear dens include: camera network IP HIK VISION, model: DS – 2 CD 802PF, storage environment card SDHC 16 GB; unidirectional microfon; spot led 12V; Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
recorded (temperature, humidity, dew point) SYN DT - 171 installed inside the den set to record parameters every 60 minutes; recorded (temperature, humidity, dew point) Trix 8 installed outside the den; camera Talon Extreme 3.0MP Digital Scouting Camera, Recon installed for monitoring the space outside den, Memory Card 128 KP and 6 battery R20, Invisible Infrared Illuminator, Passive Infrared Motion Detector; equipment for viewing/recording of moving images are supplied through conductor cable by a VARTA battery 12V 90Ah (20h); between the video camera installed inside the den and a place at about 25-30m. distance on the outside for viewing images life, provided information to the laptop, is achieved by UTP data cable; body camera and also the recorder of climatic parameters were installed in metal skeletons against destruction by bear. Protocol cameras operating systems inside the den is to check at intervals not exceeding 15 days of presence or non presence of this animal in the den and supplying the equipments at the rechargeable devices placed outside the den, at a safe distance to avoid hazards on the operator. In case of check with your laptop if it finds an occupied den, the room remains powered for 15 days on battery. Image recording equipment installed inside, were set to trigger recording at detecting motion, providing a maximum cumulative capture time of 16 days. Internal system is doubled by the photo/video camera Talon Extreme 3.0MP Digital Scouting Camera Recon, installed to monitor the area outside the den. The operation of outer cameras is ensured by changing at 15 days of batteries and storage media. The maximum possible registration period is 15-day between shifts. The monitoring system is complemented by registering of climatic parameters (temperature, humidity, dew point) SYN DT - 171 install one inside and one outside the den, set to record the parameters every 60 minutes throughout the monitoring period (September - May). In achieving the objective of the action it has pursue touching these goals: - Identifying the dens location and implementation in GIS format of this information for their analysis in relation to the position of exploitation prosecution or of potential plans/projects; - Identify of occupancy periods of dens correlated with values of measured climatic parameters (temperature, humidity, dew point); - The establishment of direct or indirect correlation between temperature changes imposed by global warming and behavior of bears during winter sleep; - Behavioral analysis of bears during winter sleep and identification disturbances; - Analyze the impact of human activities on juvenile mortality; - Establish measures to reduce juvenile mortality caused by disturbance of dens during cubs growth. Until present the data recorded by monitoring equipment were processed, the information being accumulated in a database of this action and include: - 15 dens monitored during winter of 2010-2011; - 4 locations occupied throughout the monitoring period or sequential; - confirming the presence of bears in the monitored area in nine locations; - total time of approx. 200 days of monitoring with video/photo surveillance camera for each monitored den; - approx. 7 hours of film inside dens occupied by bears during winter sleep; - total about 63 000 recordings (about 4,200 hourly recordings of values of temperature, relative humidity and dew point for each of the 15 locations.) - direct observations of traces and marks in the area, performed regularly (at intervals of 15 days); Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
- a volume of approx. 300 photographic images of the dens morphology details, or in areas with dens. From the total of the locations were there has been installed video-camera equipment, at 4 of them in the monitoring interval there have been reported discontinuous presence of 6 bear. In two of the locations monitored bears it has been registered the continuously presence of bear throughout the winter sleep, being captured the images inside dens. Video recording equipment worked on most of the period of winter sleep in the two locations, totaling a movie about 4 hours. In the dens having the indicative HR 1 F was monitored a female bear, and one with HR 2P indicative two exemplars of juvenile bears. The equipment for recording climatic parameters installed inside dens have shown that within dens, climate is almost uniform throughout the monitoring interval, amplitude of maximum and minimum temperatures being small compared to that recorded outside bear dens. Given the observations on thermal gap inside dens, the largest differences and most frequently of changes found in dens from hollows of trees. This aspect correlated with climatic parameters measured in outer space of dens, and also the images recorded outside the den, which certifies the presence of bear in three different moments, may lead to the conclusion that this type of den is used as a shelter for short periods, without being occupied by females with cubs. Problems: there were registered no significant issues to change the proposed implementation mode for this activity. The technical aspects mentioned in the Inception report were overcome by adapting the purchased equipment to the monitoring needs. Plans to continue: Monitoring during the next winter (2011-2012) of at least 15 bear dens in the project area; Up-dating data base referring at the dens and areas favorable for winter sleep location; Identifying and limiting disturbance factors that lead to den abandonment and offspring mortality; Establishing direct or indirect correlation between temperature changes imposed by global warming and bears behavior during winter sleep. Annexes: Report about identifying and monitoring activity for dens in 2010
3.1.9 ACTION C5: Lobby for adopting by the Environmental Ministry (MM) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MADR) of a methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population Status of the action : in progress Progress: The lobby activities for adoption by the Ministry of Environmental and Forests (MEF) of the methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population, are focused on people involved in large carnivores conservation. In the frame work of this activity, the target group is the National Working Group for Large Carnivores Conservation (NWGLCC) created in 2007 to be a technical body to support the decision of the MEF towards large carnivore’s management. The lobby activities have stated in March 2010, with two meetings organized by the EMF representatives, first on March 2010 end the second one in April 2010, on whom the LIFEURSUS project team presented the objectives of the project and actions proposed for developing the methodological guide. This was the first step in involving the responsible institution trough there representatives in the developing of the methodology. The second step was the development of a protocol for lobby action and workshop organization, based on the position of each important organization from the NWGLCC. The protocol was finished at the end of June 2010. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
The next step was made in February 2011, by organizing in the frame work of the LIFEURUS project, an inter-institutional workshop with the people involved in the brown bear conservation, especially people from NWGLCC and people from hunting association. The Workshop was organized for a period of two days, the first day for presentation of the methodology and the second day for free discussion around the first draft of the methodology. The workshop was organized according to the intern protocol, in Lepsa, Vrancea county, on 23 and 24 February 2011, all the cost regarding accommodation of the guests and catering being supported from the project budget. At the workshop the project working group has made the following presentation: First day 23 february 1. “LIFEURSUS project –results after one year of implementation” – Silviu Chiriac, manager of the project 2. “Objectives related to the development of the methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population” – Ioan Mihai Pop – responsible of the action 3. “The need of a methodological guide, steps proposed for developing” – Ioan Mihai Pop – responsible of the action 4. “The methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population – first draft - internal LIFEURSUS project document for 2011” – Ioan Mihai Pop – responsible of the action Second day 24 february 1. “ The methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population – first draft - internal LIFEURSUS project document for 2011” – Ioan Mihai Pop – responsible of the action 2. Free discussion on the methodological guide. Proposals and suggestions. At the meeting there were presents 15 people, from 13 organization involved in brown bear management: Two representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Forests – law enforcement, decision makers Two representatives of the Forest and Wildlife Management and Research Institute – wildlife research. One representative of the Silviculture Faculty from “Transilvania” University from Brasov – wildlife research. One representative of the National Environmental Guard - law enforcement One representative of the National Forests Administration – Romsilva, hunting game units managers One representative of the WWF-Danube Carpathian Programme – nature protection association One representative of the ProUrsus – brown bear conservation association One representative of Abies hunting – representing companies involved in hunting organization One representative of Association for Conserving Natural Values – brown bear conservation Association Four representative of the LIFEURSUS Project. The workshop activities were concluded in the following: There is a strong need of improving the actual results on brown bear population size estimation, based on solid scientific criteria; There is a national context favourable to the action objectives especially from nature protection conservation organization; Is it necessary to develop the methods on scientific criteria, but also to be accessible to game managers and protected areas administrations; Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Another meeting is needed, after one year of methods implementation with results obtain from the field data collection; All the involved organizations are interested in participating at the field activities. A second workshop was organized on 30 March 2011, with the participation of the game managers units from Covasna and Harghita County. The workshop was organized at the EPA Covasna headquarter, during one day was important to obtain a feed back from the final beneficiary of the methodological guide. The results of the workshop were favourable, all the managers manifesting an interest in participating at the field activities and also they offer good information about problems that cold affect our field activities (road quality, human activities, hunting activities etc.) Problems: There were no problems register during this period Plans to continue: In the following period until November, people from the MEF responsible with brown bear management will be invited to participate at the field activities and data collection. At the beginning of 2012 another workshop will be organized to present the first results based on field collected data’s. Annexes: No case 3.1.10 ACTION C.6: Implementing at the entire project level of several demonstrative crop, livestock and farm protection systems by using repelent equippment and substances Objective: Preventing and reducing conflicts between bears and local population at Covasna, Vrancea and Harghita couties level through implementing of several demonstrative crop, livestock and farm protection systems by using repelent equippment and substances. The objective is achievable according with initial project planning Expected results: 30 electrical fence systems set down every year at agriculture fields, live stock and farms on the range of the entire project; Reduction of damage level on the whole surface of the project and reducing human-bear conflicts; Promoting among local people the best damage reducing practices. Progress: Most of the bears attacks have many chances of success due to the rudimentary protection systems. In this way a lot of animals losses appear, sometimes existing the risk of human life losing. The damages are usually great, and this leads to poaching. The landowners set up snares in order to repel the wild boars, but in many cases, the victims are the bears. The result of such activities is a high rate of poached animals. Proving the advantages of implementing the electric protection system for sheepfolds, orchards and crops to the people will lead to a low rate of poaching and to reduce the adversity about bears. In the first phase of the project, those 12 complete electric fencing systems existing in the material basis of LIFE05NAT/RO/000170 project were transferred together with mounting accessories and tools to responsible of this action (ACDB). In May 2010 were purchased component parts for manufacturing of 30 protection systems with different technical features and there were made other warning acoustical systems, visual or repellent (with flags textile cords, small wind mills, audible warning systems, repellent substances as lithium chloride) needed to complete electrified fencing systems. To reduce leakage power in the soil through the grassy vegetation, in addition to the initial budget, EPA VN bought a moto-mowers (about 300 euros), which is used for cutting grass under electric fence wires. For choosing the protection system for orchards and sheepfolds we used practices presented in the literature and also the experience gained over the 8 years that there have been implemented complex systems of electric fences to protect sheepfolds and crops in Vrancea County. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Choosing the protection systems are also based on results of practical applications in the field in which there have been studied acoustic and visual systems for removal of bears in areas where they produced damages. In the last year there have been achieved practical experience in the field through there were tested and analyzed the effect of repellent chemical substances on bears that cause damage to livestock. Protection systems used by our team are described in detail in "Methodology for the implementing of protection systems for crops, livestock and apiaries to reduce the damage caused by bears" (attached to the inception report) and can be composed of the following: electrified fences; acoustic scarecrows systems; repellent substances; cords with flags; adverse conditionings. The stock of equipment needed to implement the action consists of: - new 22 electrified fencing systems purchased by responsable of the action (ACDB-partner 4); - 12 complete electrified fences systems purchased by EPA Vrancea in LIFE000170 project and made available to partner; - manufactured systems (cords with flags, metal scarecrows); - liquid substances of repellent type (Š HUCHINOL) and dispensing and installation containers; - substances and tools of veterinary use with the role of opposing conditioning (lithium chloride powder, saline, surgical gloves, syringes). Under these circumstances the implementation team of activities for reducing the damage caused by bears has on field all the necessary components for composition of systems adapted to the specific conditions of each case. In each case in which it is implemented a protection system there may be used: electrical fences with wires or mesh powered by solar panels or directly from the network of 220 volts, cords with flags, metal scarecrows having acoustic role, repellent substances, conditioning adverse substances, decision being taken immediately by the field teams, being respected methodological protocol. Based on information obtained during the damages analyses action but also on demands of the team RAT, there has begun activity to implement of protection systems activity on a range of the three counties overlapping on project. So, starting in late May 2010 were installed 30 complex systems for protection of sheepfolds, bee farms, crops and orchards where there have been reported damage caused by bears. For each protected perimeter, there were studied factors that favored damages producing being taken measures to reduce them. The 30 protected perimeters are located in the Vrancea, Harghita and Covasna counties in areas where human activities and bear habitat overlap, conflicts being generated by the existence of some trophic offers. Mixed protection systems consisting of electric fences, flags cords, audio-visual systems and repellent substances, have been installed in: 14 sheepfolds with sheep and goats, 1 cattle ranch, 8 crops, 6 orchards and 1 apiary (see annexed map). At the RAT request there were installed protection systems in the perimeter where it was considered as effective method of reducing conflict. In 2011, respecting the same procedure needed to select the location in which to be implemented the damage reduction systems, there were installed in the three counties 28 mixed protection systems (9 sheepfolds with sheep and goats, 3 cattle ranch, 4 crops, 2 orchards, 6 mixed farms and 4 apiary (see annexed list and map). The electrical fences were delivered to beneficiary based on a contract signed between ACDB as supplier, and physical persons responsible with surveying the owner as users, the limit term for using this equipment being 15 May and a date mutually agreed. After limit date the equipments are took over by the responsible team, for keeping and maintenance until the next season.
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
After the assembling of the electrical fences, teams of 2 people each have ensured the surveying of the protection system through weekly visits of sites and full filling the surveying forms for avoiding technical problems and for evaluate the task success. Cost-benefit analysis is periodically evaluated, being achieved a file that is permanently updated with information about attacks, the damages and eventually costs for maintenance of the protection systems. So far installing of protection systems proved to be particularly effective, users being satisfied with the effect of these means in reducing damage caused by bears. In many cases, crops and livestock owners, understanding the operating principles of electric fencing, decided to buy with their own resources such systems, which proved and strengthens the demonstrative purpose the action implemented by us. Also, multiple approaching of techniques to reduce damage by using repellents substances and cords with flags, proved to be a practice that require low cost, and efficiency is considerable. Around farms protected by us, the landowners began to use similar equipment, thus reducing the damage and conflicts. In terms of the effective demonstration of activity by implementing "best practice" should be noted that for all the techniques and equipment used or presented to users we presented all the sources from they can buy various materials and equipment (see practical guide made in the action A4). In this context we mention that the repellent substances used by us can be purchased with low prices from suppliers which sell in Europe equipment needed for agricultural land and forest management. Problems: There were no problems. Plans to continue: Demonstrative protection systems will be installed each year based on the information collected during the action on the analysis of damage (A4) and at the RAT team requests (C2).Surveillance of protection systems operation through visits of sites and filling out forms will be done in order to avoid technical problems and assess the success of the mission. Cost-benefit analysis. It will be evaluated the efficacy, achieving a file of each protected site that will be continuously pursued. Dissemination of information about the effectiveness of the system. After completion of system evaluation reports, it will be carried out a dissemination campaign, to try to locate as many such systems. It will be printed a leaflet in order to explain how systems work and what is the effectiveness of protection systems, but the biggest impact will be the demonstration of each case. Annexes Report about implementation of protection systems for 2010 Table with progress of implementation of crop protection systems, farm animals or apiaries the area counties Vrancea, Covasna during May -August 2010 and May -August 2011 Maps with location of protection systems
3.1.10 ACTION C.7 Analyze of the degradation and fragmentation level of the brown bear habitats. Objective: The objective is achievable according with initial project planning Progress: Collecting and centralization data needed for analysis Since the beginning of the project, the activities implementation team started collecting of field data set as complete as possible on the manner in which habitat used by bear in the project area is fragmented through creating new facilities or major changes in the land use. Thus were realized field trips of the team in areas that are known overlaps of travel corridors used by bears with road and rail transport networks, being monitored this bear signs (tracks, droppings, direct observations). There were introduced in the GIS database and were analyzed on the field all cases in which bears were direct victims of the impact on public transport (train or car), such incidents being reported Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
especially in Covasna (three bears killed by train impact) and Butucoasa in Vrancea (a bear dead due to a collision with a truck). Completing the GIS database action performed in A2, with information on major changes in manner of land use (in category forest in pasture or pastures and hayfields in the construction category) was also considered an important step in preparing the proposed analysis in this activity. There have been identified and mapped areas with significant impact in terms of brown bear habitat fragmentation in the project area, aerial image analysis being doubled by a field analysis. As we proposed in the project, this activity will begin with completion of GIS portal for the project, the analysis being needed all the information collected (including data on daily movements of bears monitored by GPS/GSM collars and data about size number of bear on the hunting territory management units). As a preceding phase of GIS analysis, there has been preparing layers in vector format, stereo 1970 compatible with GIS portal, having regard to: a. Land characteristics (category of use, degree of degradation etc) b. Altitude c. Distance to towns, roads, rivers d. Sources of attraction (nourishing, orchard, sheepfolds, landfills etc). The proper GIS analysis will take place in the next phase of the project and will be realized through the following steps: 1. Parameterization of habitat factors 2. Creating models of specific habitats (Habitat Suitability model) a. reclassification of model quality - based on additional knowledge obtained during preparatory phase (A) b. creating ecological corridors c. prioritize corridors d. uniting of priority corridors e. establish central areas, buffer zones f. intersection of corridors with rail and road transport network 3. Creating general model of quality habitat, model revision based on additional knowledge obtained during preparatory phase 4. Generating favorable habitat areas (Habitat patch) 5. Creating raster with "travel cost" (cost of travel = 100- habitat quality) 6. Defining Core Areas (central zone) - Natura 2000 sites included in the project, areas with very favorable habitat 7. Achieving ecological corridors, 8. Prioritizing the corridors, uniting the priority corridors 9. Intersecting corridors with road and rail transportation network 10. Representation of travel barriers After obtaining the results and it will be realized verification and correction of model obtained based on field checking in critical areas. Based on these, it will be developed the final model and the set of measures proposed to reduce degradation and habitat fragmentation. These measures will include the following action points: a. forest management measures b. maintaining ecological corridors c. designating hunting quiet areas d. adaptation of developing strategies (infrastructure, urbanization etc) at environmental requirements Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Problems: until now there has recorded no difficulties in action implementation Plans to continue: the activity will continue in accordance with proposed planning, with implementing the steps previoustly presented Annex: No case
3.1.12 ACTION D.1: Promotion of the project, it’s objectives and results Objective: Raising awareness of the target group on project, its objectives, results and Natura 2000 concept in project area The objective is achievable according with initial project planning Expected results: Informative and promotional materials Progress: For promoting the start of the new LIFE Nature project in Vrancea, Covasna and Harghita counties, where achieved meetings with different interested institutions, at the partner’s headquarters, and as a result of these event appeared some articles in local and national mass-media, radio and TV interviews. The project secretariat offered also to local and national mass-media several press releases having as main message general promotion of the project goal and objectives. Until now there have been published 22 articles in local and national press and 7 articles on internet, referring to actions developed in this project, there have been registered 1 appearance at local TV and 4 appearances on local radio. In National Geographic no. 85, on May 2010 appeared an article wrote by Silviu Chiriac named “Bears of Romania” where there is mentioned the actual project financed by European Commission. Also, an article entitle “LIFEURSUS project – best practices for brown bear conservation” developed by members from partner institutions in this project (Ioan Mihai Pop-EPA CV, Silviu Chiriac, Radu Mihai Sandu-EPA VN, Leonardo BerezckyACNV Harghita), appeared in InfoMEDIU Europa environmental and ecology magazine no.10 on 25 October-25 November 2010. On the Green Report web site was posted in 19 July 2010 an article having as title “Carpathian bear, the victim of ‘overruns per hectare’” referring to excessive hunting made for money. Having in view that project promoting represent an essential condition for project activities success, until this moment there have been conceived and realized several promoting materials like leaflets achieved in RO (3000 pieces) an EN (1000 pieces) containing information about the project goal and objectives, personalised paper folders (200 pieces), being also produced plastic pens (500), Tshirts (300) and calendars (300), with LIFE, Natura 2000 and project logos. Members of awareness campaign team from EPA Vrancea has achieved the project web www.carnivoremari.ro/lifeursus, entitled “Best practices and demonstrative actions for conservation of Ursus arctos species in Eastern Carpathians, Romania”. The page can be accessed on the www.carnivoremari.ro domain, which contain also information about the other LIFE projects LIFE 8576 and LIFE 000170. On this domain can be also obtained information about the three large carnivores (bear, lynx and wolf), having on the Romanian page, a GIS geo-portal, articles appeared in the National Geographic, a portal dedicated to volunteers and a blog. On the visitors portal it can be observed the visitors at this moment, the flag counter views and other interesting details. The LIFE+ project web page includes information about project actions and electronic version of materials produced until now. It was achieved the English version of the web page, both versions (RO, EN) being updating with recent notifications about developing project activities. In the first year of the project it was achieved the annual newsletter, covering the period 15.01.2010 – 31.01.2011, being designated to the project participants in order to keep them informed with the project’s activities and containing the following issues: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
General issues Creating project team Creation of GIS database Strategy of awareness campaign Analysis of the damages produced by bear Methods for quantitative and qualitative assessment of brown bear populations Risk Assessment Team - RAT Lobby for the adoption of the methodological guide Extension of ARMU action Reducing juvenile mortality for bear Implementation of protection systems Project promotion Informative panels Promoting bear-friendly products The newsletter totals eight pages in Romanian language and was disseminated to the institutions and target groups interested in the implemented activities. The newsletter was produced in 100 exemplars. For assuring a good information of Vrancea population, in front of the headquarters of the main project partner institutions there were been posed presentation posters achieved in February 2010 with information about the project LIFE08/NAT/RO/000500, at the EPA Vrancea headquarter being installed a project presentation panel (A0) with the goal and objectives of the project. Problems: there where no problems Plans to continue: It will be updated the web page of the project. The project newsletter no.2 will be achieved and produced in 100 exemplars in order to be disseminated to all project partners, institutions and target groups interested in the project activities. With this occasion they will be inform about the actual stage of the actions and activities developed. There will be released articles in local and national mass-media, press conferences for main event of the project and eventually scientific publications in national and international papers. Annexes: List of articles published in local and national press; List of TV and radio broadcasting; promotional materials, the newsletter.
3.1.13 ACTION D.2: Install notice boards Objective: Informing the general public about the nature of the project presented in an environmentally sensitive manner Expected results: Installing 20 informative boards Progress: Until now there have been developed, produced and installed 20 panels, made in accordance with the Common Provisions concerning publicity of Community support. 10 informative panels contain the main data about LIFEURSUS project, its aims and objectives and all elements that promote LIFE + source program and financial support of European Commission. The panels are installed in pedestrian areas at the beneficiary and partners. Also these boards were mounted at the Center for Rehabilitation and Monitoring of Large Carnivores in Lepsa (EPA VN) and the Center for Rehabilitation of Orphaned Bear Cubs in Balan / Harghita (ANCV). Another 10 informative boards having de 200 x 150 cm, metal frame and protection against ultraviolet radiations were installed in areas of visitor traffic in Natura 2000 sites: Putna-Vrancea (2 Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
panels), Herculian (2 panels), Ciomad Balvanyos, Cheile Varghisului, Oituz Ojdula (2 panels), Madaras, Tinovul Mohos. The panels contain information about the project, targeted species, proposed conservation actions, rules of conduct in sites inhabited by bears, site map. Problems: No problems. Plans to continue: no case Annexes: the photo annex
3.1.14 ACTION D.3: Awareness campaign for promoting the brown bear’sconservation and conflict reduction methods. Objective: Promoting the brown bear’sconservation and conflict reduction methods. The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. Expected results: meetings with the leaders of the village communities, farmers in the damage affected areas and with the local authorities. press conferences with field applications Progress: In the campaign to promote brown bear conservation actions and methods to reduce conflict, there were made, in accordance with planning and project schedule, activities to inform target groups and media in the three counties. In this context, meetings were held with local authorities, farmers, rural residents whose areas overlap with bear habitats, wildlife managers of fund management. A meeting with the purpose was organized by EPA Covasna and ACNV, on 25.02. 2010. The project team has organize a meeting with institution and organization with direct and indirect responsibilities in brown bear management at Covasna county level. During this meeting where there were attended 19 people it was discussed the need for conservation of the brown bear and practical methods to reduce conflicts with the help of the demonstrative protection systems used in LIFEURSUS project. Participants were informed about the risks of habitat fragmentation and increasingly human intervention on forest ecosystems, which cause the bears to seek food near human settlements. Locals presents there have raised the problem of the an efficient compensation lack of economic losses caused by bears and asked authorities involved in creating a better guide for farmers to provide concrete methods to prevent damage. In Harghita County, Miercurea Ciuc locality, at the Harghita County Council was held on 18.03.2010 a meeting with stakeholders involved in the management of brown bear. At this event attended representatives of the following institutions: Prefecture of Harghita County, Harghita County Council, the National Environment Guard, Harghita County Police Inspectorate, Veterinary Health Division, Department of Agriculture, Forestry Regime and Hunting Inspectorate Brasov, representatives of local authorities in rural area, representatives of wildlife management funds. There were presented LIFEURSUS project activities and debated the causes of man/bear conflicts. There were also highlighted the major lack of legislative acts in force and were presented specific methods by which farmers can improve the damage caused by bears. On 18 October 2010 it was organized at the level of Vrancea County a press conferences having as title: "Best practice and demonstration actions to conserve the population of Ursus arctos in centralMid-term report LIFEURSUS
eastern part of Eastern Carpathians". At a press conference attended by representatives of local media: FOCUS TV, ATLAS TV, Monitorul de Vrancea, Ziarul de Vrancea, Ziarul de Astazi. With the occasion of this press-conference the partcipants there were invited to go to the project implementation area and to visit the Monitoring Center for large carnivores at Lepsa . Site visit of journalists included also a stage in which there has been visited a special area of conservation of the ROSCI Putna-Vrancea, where journalists could see traces of the bears passage and there have been shown how to monitor with non-invasive techniques the species of large carnivores. The press conference was followed by the appearance in the local media of articles with specific mentioned items. On June 8, 2011 it was organized by the Association for Conservation of Natural Values (ACNV) with the support of APM Vrancea and APM Covasna a press conference with field visits in Covasna and Vrancea counties. There were attended journalists from 7 media organizations from Covasna (Messenger of Covasna, Covasna Observatory, HĂĄromszĂŠk, Szekelyhon, TVR Tg. Mures, Hirmondo, Radio Romania News). Field visits took place in Natura 2000 sites Oituz Ojdula, ROSCI Putna-Vrancea and Rehabilitation Center for large carnivores in Lepsa. During the meeting with journalists, representatives of institutions involved in LIFEURSUS project implementation presented the project activities and provided participants information on species ethology and practical ways to reduce conflicts. In the field visit, journalists visited the Rehabilitation and Monitoring Center of large carnivores, Lepsa, where they viewed veterinary equipment used in rescuing distressed bears, transport cages, medical interventions room, rehabilitation enclosures. To the journalists there were also presented a history of interventions achieved in the project for releasing some poached bears. http://www.szekelyhon.ro/videos/view/934/medvek-vedelme-osszefogassal.html http://publikus.ro/hirek/life-ursus:-osszefogas-a-medvekert-6437.html http://www.covasnamedia.ro/beta/?s=life+ursus On August 29, 2011, Association for Conservation of Natural Values organized a new press conference with field visits in Harghita county. Media event was held in Gheorghieni, where the project representative met with media representatives invited to this conference (Ziarul Kronika, Ziarul Harghita, Ziarul Gyergyoi Hirlap, Ziarul Uj Kelet, Ziarul Gyergyoi Kisujsag, Feny TV, Radio Tg. Mures, TV Gheorghieni, Radio Mix FM). The conference started at 8:00 in a meeting at the ACNV where there were distributed to the journalists informative materials made in the project, and were given all the information on the state of activities implementation and presented the results achieved so far. The second stage of this event consisted of a trip with journalists in natural habitats populated by brown bears in the Csikikert. During this travel, journalists had the opportunity to know the techniques used in the project to determine the abundance of brown bears in Natura 2000 sites and view an area where bears make their dens. To the journalists there also have been presented the main threats that lead to the decline of brown bear populations and methods to reduce the human activities impact. http://www.gyergyoszentmiklos.net/index.php?option=com_content&id=277&lang=hu&task=view &Itemid=1&date=2011-10-01 http://erdely.ma/mozaik.php?id=99387&cim=azt_sem_tudjak_melyik_medve_tamadt http://www.kronika.ro/index.php?action=open&res=54944 Problems: there where no problems Plans to continue: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
In the next period will be organize new meetings with stakeholders to achieve the taken objective. There will also be realized booklets with the topic "We Are Also Responsible" and will be made/mounted banners in 50 locations in the project area. There also will be held press conferences in these three counties overlapping on project area. Annexes: images from the press conferences and meetings (included in photo annex) articles rezulted as a result of press conferences (included in press cliping raport)
3.1.15 ACTION D.4 Awareness campaign in order to promote the best practices and actions necessary to protect the hibernation dens and diminishing the causes which lead at the cub’s abandon. Objective: promote the best practices and actions necessary to protect the hibernation dens and diminishing the causes which lead at the cub’s abandon The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. Progres: The reason for implementing this action is to make the target groups understand that disturbing bears during the hibernation and the milking period, provokes critical energy loss due to the excessively moving, the loss of the cubs and many times affects also the female. The lack of knowledge regarding the bear areas close to tourist routes or cabins, the specific behaviour of female bears with cubs, causes often the disturbance of the hibernation dens and leads to the killing of females, increasing the cases of the bear cubs abandon and mortality, being necessary to rise awareness among the target groups pointed in this project action (tourists, foresters, wildlife managers). In order to diminishing the causes which lead at the bears disturbances and inform people about brown bear habitat and characteristics, in period December 2010 – august 2011 ACNV conceived and printed 3 types of leaflets: - Don’t disturbing me in my den and I will not disturbing you! - for tourists (3000 pieces) explaining which is the accident risk if we disturb a female bear with cubs, or a bear den, the people’s responsibility for the eventually decline of the specie, being described also the topographical and ecological characteristics of the areas used for birth and cub nourishing (dense and bushy areas, south exposed slopes, etc) together with the main signs which signifies that in the area probably exists a bear den. These leaflets will be disseminated at mountain cabins, tourist shelters and pensions. - Dens protection is essential for species conservation - for forest exploiting companies and personnel from rural area (100 pieces) - being explained the risk factor in the case somebody disturbs a female bear with cubs and also the protection necessity of these places in the winter-spring period. These materials will be distributed at the exploiting companies, village community headquarters, which own the most of the forested areas. - Dens protection is essential for species conservation – for wildlife managers and their field personnel in the project’s area (500) - being shown the responsibility of the managers in the case of accidents. There was referring to the Orphan Bear Rehab Centre for the case a wildlife management unit or field agent founds an orphan bear cub. They also will be disseminated among the wildlife management districts in the project’s area. Each folder presented information about the financer and partners, together with their logos being printed in a A4 format, these informative materials having bilingual text (in Romanian and Hungarian). Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
With the occasion of Environment Day it was organized a meeting, held with stakeholders on the Natura 2000 "Harghita Madaras" site. The event took place in the meeting room of City Hall Madaras on 06/03/2010, attended by local government representatives from the village Danesti, Carta and Madaras. Also present at this meeting were representatives of the three communes who owned large areas of forest in the aforementioned site, and other interested persons. The three communes have administrative land on the eastern part of the Natura 2000 "Harghita Madaras" site, designated SCI to protect the brown bear, areas where traditional farming practices and activities are subject to significant risk in the conflict with the brown bear. Representatives of EPA Harghita presented a PowerPoint material about the importance of the Natura 2000 network, socio-economic benefits of Natura 2000 network and the link between the network and LIFEURSUS project. Another information/awareness meeting was organized at TuĹ&#x;nad Bai/Harghita county, on 11.07.2011 with the participation of local authorities, the management of the wildlife and landowners. During these meetings was presented the importance of protection of these areas in the sensible periods and there will be promoted the best practices regarding the avoidance of juvenile abandon. During the meetings there were disseminated folders with bear dens protection. Also, the meeting aimed was to analyze the problems created by the habituated bears and possibilities of solving them. On this occasion there were presented approaches of LIFEURSUS team in terms of problem bears relocation in Tusnad city and the subsequent development of the three bear specimen. Problems: there where no problems Plans to continue: In the next period there will be organized new meetings with the target groups to achieve the taken objective. Annexes: Leaflets 3.1.16 ACTION D.5: Awareness campaign for promoting the communitarian interest sites, designated for large carnivore conservation, and for promoting the socio-economical benefits generated by the Natura 2000 site status. Objective: promotion of sites of Community importance designated for conservation of large carnivores to promote socio - economic benefits generated by status of Natura 2000 site. The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. Progres: Based on the implementation strategy of awareness campaign, developed in the A3 action, there were made prior actions for starting the awareness campaign to promote Natura 2000 sites, establishing the main objectives of the campaign: - The concept of Natura 2000 to be well known to all target groups; - People knowing the functioning of the Natura 2000 system; - Ecological network to be accepted by stakeholders in the bear management and its habitats from Natura 2000 sites; - Stakeholders to participate actively in the functioning of protected areas system. There were also established for implementation of the campaign the main target groups: farmers, breeders, beekeepers, forest workers, tourists, local community authorities, teachers and students, landowners. There have also been developed all informative materials included in the toolkit for promotion of Natura 2000 network. This toolkit contains the following informative materials: DVD multimedia Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
This material is generally for local authorities, teachers and other decision makers who need further information about the role and functioning of ecological network Natura 2000 and about sites designated on brown bear conservation. It is made in three languages, Romanian, Hungarian and English, and users can access information in the following topics: General knowledge about Natura 2000 - section contains essential knowledge about the role, function and socio economic benefits of ecological network. From this can be accessed also the map of Natura 2000 sites in Romania. Knowledge LIFEURSUS project - apart from general technical data of the project descriptions here are included the purpose, objectives, actions and deliverables of the LIFEURSUS project. It can also be viewed a photography presentation about action from project. Natura 2000 sites in the project - section includes a brief description of the 15 sites for brown bear conservation involved in the project. It can be accessed from here the Standard form of sites, geographical location map and a video material achieved on the site, which presents the main environmental values, cultural or landscape that characterizes the site. General knowledge about the brown bear – given that the knowledge of the target groups about this species is low, we considered useful to include in this material of a description of the main physiological and behavioral characteristics of the brown bear. Section also contains a video about bears. Contact and links - includes contact details of project partners and their Web addresses. From this section of the DVD it can be accessed directly from the Internet the site of the project: www.carnivoremari.ro In making material on the DVD we watched that information to be given as a accessible language to the target group, to be as attractive, by including a large number of photos and graphic elements, and that its use not to required advanced computer knowledge. The DVD is presented in a cardboard envelope, color, and was realized in an edition of 500 pieces. Leaflet with information about the Natura 2000 network This material is intended to provide information about the Natura 2000 network to the stakeholders in Harghita and Covasna counties in Romanian and Hungarian. In addition to general information about the ecological network, includes distribution map of all sites in the two counties, SPA and SCI, not just those included in the project. It was printed on green paper, is in color and is A4 format, with a circulation of 3,000 pieces. It is intended mainly to landowners, farmers, livestock farmers, forest workers, etc. Bookmarks It was edited one type of bookmarks for each of the 15 Natura 2000 sites included in the project. The bookmark 6x21cm format aims to attract the attention of stakeholders on environmental values and the importance of Natura 2000 sites. It is printed on green paper, color. Bookmarks of sites in counties with the Hungarian minority are published in two languages, the Hungarian text being printed on the bottom of bookmark. It was printed in an edition of 300 marks each. Complex map of Natura 2000 sites Map format of 77x64 cm, especially for tourists visiting this area, has the primarily goal to give information about the geological location of Natura 2000 sites in the project, in the context of their relationship with access roads, protected areas of national interest, landforms, hydrological network etc. The back contains a description of each site, with the Natura 2000 code, surfaces and the name and contact data on its custodian/administrator. To supplement the information provided, the material includes general knowledge about Natura 2000 ecological network and a description of the ecological and conservationists importance of the brown bear. It is printed on paper resistant on moisture and wear and can be used in the field during excursions. It was published with a circulation Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
of 2,000 pieces. The publication was introduced in the international registry publications ISBN 978606-92551-48. Achieving these materials was the deadline for completion May 31, 2011. By the time of report preparation, in the D5 activity were made following events: • On 25.03.2011, at Miercurea Ciuc, there was an action of information/awareness, organized in collaboration with members of the Romanian Carpathian Association NGO. The event aimed to inform stakeholders about the Natura 2000 network and protected areas of national and community interest overlapping on brown bear habitat. At the meeting there were attended locals of nearby interest sites, foresters and persons directly involved in brown bear management. • In Potiond town, Harghita County, EPA Harghita organized on 14.05.2011 an action of information/awareness for students in elementary schools. The action took place during classes, being made presentations on the species of community interest and in particular the brown bear, and were given information about the need for conservation of natural habitats within the Natura 2000 network. • On 21.07.2011 was held in Vărşag, Harghita county an information/awareness action for students in elementary schools. During this activity, EPA Harghita organized a trip with participants to sites of community interest to a local ecological camp. There were presented methods of monitoring the brown bear, species ethology issues and ways to prevent damage to livestock and crops. • On May 31, 2011, at the Children's Palace in the town of St. George it was held an event organised with the occasion of the International Day of Environment. At the awareness action participated about 150 students, aged between 8-10 years. Surprisingly was the fact that over 30% of children had basic knowledge about the biology and ethology of brown bears and about 10% of them had the opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat. • Between June 20 to July 1, 2011, the LIFEURSUS project team together with the Eastern Carpathians Museum organized at the Museum a photo exhibition dedicated to the forest and brown bear in the context of World Environment Day. • On July 21, 2011 the project team participated at the invitation of the Association Istenkhaz from Batan town to share information to children on nature and carnivores protection. • On July 21, 2011 the project team participated at the invitation of School "Janos Mathe" in Herculian place to share information to children and teachers on the conservation of large carnivores. The actions were organized in the Natura 2000 site Herculian. With the occasion of the environmental education actions which celebrated a series of different events (World Wetlands Day, Month of Forest, Bird Day, Earth Day, International Day of Biodiversity, the European Day of Parks, Green Week and World Environment Day), between January 1 to June 10, 2011, there took place series of presentations and environmental education activities in the various schools of Vrancea County. During these meetings, for students have been given information on: • The importance of various environmental events celebrated • European Network Natura 2000 in Vrancea County (SCI presentation, their importance in the sustainable development of Vrancea County) • ecological network for large carnivores protect (ecological network concept, stages of the Vrancea network, the need for network) • Pros and cons of protecting large carnivores • Negative effects related to the disappearance of large carnivores • Presentation of LIFE+ project "Best practice and demonstration actions to conserve the population of Ursus arctos in central-eastern part of Eastern Carpathians" (purpose, objectives, expected results, related to previous projects) Meetings were held as follows: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
• 04/15/2011 - environmental education action Kindergarten 7 Focsani • 04/20/2011 - Drawings exhibition Gologanu- Earth Day School • 04/05/2011 - environmental education action Teacher High School Focsani • 05/06/2011 - environmental education action at school Gologanu • 05/18/2011 - environmental education action at the School No. 10 Focsani • 05/19/2011 - environmental education action at the High School Longinescu GG • 06/06/2011 - environmental education action at High School S. Mehedinti Vidra • 05/06/2011 - "Choose one master .... Nature!" - Competition and environmental performance event at the Culture House of Marasesti - Marasesti High School, schools and kindergartens in Marasesti • 06/03/2011 - Contest on eco issues - School Duliu Zamfirescu Focsani, Focsani No.7 Kindergarten, Kindergarten No. 13 Focsani, Focsani Kindergarten no.17 Problems: There are no problems encountered. Plans to continue: In the next period there are planned the following activities: Organizing meetings with the stakeholders in Covasna and Harghita counties- the socio economical benefits of the Natura 2000 network’s implementation; Organizing Event promotion with the occasion of International Day of Nature Protection, Earth Day, Green Day, etc.; Drawings exposition and concourse organized with the thematic Natura 2000 and the conservation of the brown bear. Annexes: Natura 2000 network promoting toolkit: Tri lingual DVD’s Complex map of the Natura 2000 sites. Folders describing the Natura 2000 sites bilingual Bookmarks for 15 Natura 2000 sites. 3.1.17 ACTION D.6: Awareness campaign for promoting local traditional products of farmers and handcrafters as tool to improve coexistence with brown bears in Natura 2000 sites Objective: Changing negative attitude toward brown bear through adoption of a peaceful coexistence methods with this specie like selling their ecological and bear friendly products. The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. The action is under implementation. Progress: In the project implementation area there are predominant the economic activities of micro-farm type, characteristic being alimentary or industrial products made in small quantities. Generally they are produced by family members and are sold at wayside with higher traffic, local markets, close to tourist attractions objectives or with occasion of religious or traditional events. The action started with the stage of establishing areas of interest to traditional producers, through consulting the tourist maps, gathering information from project partners and identifies manufacturers associations. In this action there have been used also some information about the bear damages in the project implementation area. The project team members have made trips to areas identified as having the potential to fulfill project objectives. Crossed paths targeted localities in habitats populated by bears or related to Natura 2000 sites. So, there have been visited localities from Vrancea County: Barsesti, Naruja, Nereju, Herastrau,Nistoresti, Spulber, Tulnici, Lepsa, Gresu, Soveja; from Covasna County: Ojdula, Bretcu, Lemnia, Ghelinta, Comandau, Baraolt, Varghis, Batanii Mari, Herculian, Balvanyos, Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Bixad; from Harghita County: Tusnad, Sansimion, Santimbru, Sancraieni, Madaras, Danesti, Carta. In each locality there were collected information regarding some local producers, from local community members, giving them information about Natura 2000 project objectives and the importance of bear population conservation and conflict reducing methods. In localities where there are administrative territorial units, the implementation team members have made contact with local government representatives, explaining their objectives pursued by the project and soliciting their support for the identification of local producers. It was identified a number of local producers whose contacts and specific products have been each registered in database made in the project. Among the products identified are: different types of cheese, honey, syrups, cakes, ceramics of various types, cheese molds, wooden containers, wooden musical instruments, pre-Christian masks. For each registered producer there have been requested details of the technological process, composition, origin of raw materials and ways to mitigate the damage caused by bears in areas where they were recorded. According to the classification proposed by us, a product is considered Bears friendly if: • comes from an area in a Natura 2000 site in which conservation measures for brown bear are applied; • manufacturer use a friendly technology for environment and for the brown bear habitat; • farm, apiary or crop utilizes non-lethal techniques to prevent damages; • farmers adopt techniques for coexistence with brown bears. At the date of the report preparation, it was achieved a database (Excel format) containing information about manufacturers and products which meet our requirements, following that these to be completed during identifying some new similar products. Finally, as a result of visits, the team will choose only those manufacturers who meet minimum criteria enumerated above. In terms of achieving labels, we specify that by March 2011 there were edited “bear friendly” labels and “Natura 2000 friendly”, following to be printed in December this year. Labels (attached to this report) have adapted the form and content of different types of products (smoked cheese, jars of honey, syrup bottles, jam jars, wood products) and contain elements with traditional design. To achieve the promotional brochures, there are currently collecting images and specific information to be published in early 2012. Exemplify some cases in care, after signing the contract and taking the rules on the quality and origin of product, there will be issued labels in the action: 1. Bee products (honey, pollen, honeycombs, wax) whose source is an apiary located in the Natura 2000 ROSCI Oituz - Ojdula. Apiary suffered damage in the past but now is equipped with an electric fence which led, under our supervision, to reducing attacks by bears. Beekeeper's attitude is more "friendly" toward the coexistence with brown bear. Its products can be labeled as "bears friendly" as long as the damage reduction methods are not conflicting with conservation measures. We mention in this context that there are beekeepers which, in order to reduce damages, poison or kill bears by giving them honey mixed with ethyl alcohol or car antifreeze. 2. Milk products (sheep's cheese, smoked cheese, cheese from bellows) whose source is located in a sheepfold placed in a Natura 2000 ROSCI Putna-Vrancea site. The sheepfolds are often frequented by bears, but losses recorded have been reduced in recent years due to protection with electric fencing systems and cords with flags. Basically the economic benefits of farmers have significantly increased once with reducing losses and labor required to build traditional fencing. Moreover, the Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
shepherd has assumed the adoption of pastoral techniques compatible with the status of Natura 2000 site of the area, using grazing routes that are outside the forest ecosystems, and the number of dogs was reduced to the sheepfold. Applying labels to certify the origin and assuming techniques "bear friendly" type will increase the value of products and encourage the farmer to maintain this attitude also in the future. The term "database" is generic. What we want to set up and wish to updated constantly is a "list catalog" with local manufacturers identified as potential beneficiaries of the campaign. The list is always filled with contact addresses, coordinates of the farm, apiary, workshop, information about products. Finally after visits, the action team will choose only those manufacturers that meet minimum one criteria enunciated above. Problems: In this phase we found a decrease in the number of manufacturers that sell mainly traditional food. From the information collected from them we understood that this is due to sanitary and hygienic requirements for production and marketing, whose standards were high. Another specific problem is increasing specific fiscality for freelancers. Plans to continue: Action will continue with achieving self-adhesive labels "bear friendly" and "product at a Natura 2000 site" which will be distributed to producers who meet the conditions necessary for such certification. Will be made a brochure to promote the products labeled with “bear-friendly” and “product at a Natura 2000 site” and distributed to manufacturers, stakeholders, retailers, supermarket and tour operator agencies. Annexes: list of manufacturers identified models of the differit types of labels proposed for printing 3.1.18 ACTION E.1: Project coordination, project management and financial administration Objective: Ensuring the co-ordination of the projects activities, implementation of planned activities. The objective is achievable according with initial project planning. Status: in progress Expected results: Coordination and efficient management of the partners, correct financial administration and correlation with activity plans Progress: In the period January 1st 2010– August 31 2011, in order to ensure the co ordination of the projects activities, the creation of the team for the project management was necessary. This team had the following members: Mr. Silviu Chiriac,– project manager Ms. Mariana Gheorghiu – project administrator; Ms. Maria Plesa – financial administrator; At the first meeting of coordination team was establish the role of each member and the working frame. The project secretariat the office of project manager is located at the EPA Vrancea headquarter in Focsani. The meetings of working group were run out from every important decision. The meetings between project management equip and partners were also made in order to solve some financial or research problems. The project is coordinated by Working Group, which take decisions regarding the management actions. The decisions are taken with simple majority only in the contractual limits. The project is leaded by project manager, Mr. Silviu Chiriac, supervised by Executive Director of the EPA Vrancea. The decisions are made by the manager based on consulting of the working group and of the coordinators of the main actions. The activities work packages are coordinating by responsible for activities: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Data base analyze, GIS, SFC- (Szabo Szilard- EPA HR) Monitoring, evaluation of conflict situations- (Ioan Mihai Pop, EPA CV) Capturing, tranquilizing, relocation- (Sandu Radu, EPA VN) Damage reducing methods (Radu Gelu, ACDB) Public awareness, education activities (Bongeac, EPA VN)
The project’s implementation is supervised by the Director Council. The Director Council insure the good implement of the project’s actions from legality point of view and insure the support by lobby activities at local, national and international level. The members of the Director Council are: 1. Bernadt Zelma – Executive Director, EPA HR 2. Benedek Kaplar Gabor - Executive Director, EPA CV 3. Giurca Paul - Executiv Director, EPA VN 4. Cosmin Adrian Stîngă – President of ACDB 5. Leonardo Bereczky – President of ACNV In the period covered by this report, the Working Group met whenever a decision was needed on the occasion of major and common activities attended by most members. Also, the project manager accompanied by financial and project administrator went at the partners headquarters in order to ensure proper function of the project. Director Comity members were held during this period, activities supervision of their institutions and were conducted lobbying activities besides other institutions involved in the management of brown bear. Heads of partner institutions have also provided access to the necessary co-financing and cost recovery related to VAT. Director Comity of the project met once during 2010 following that at the end of 2011 to organize a new meeting. The partnership agreement established between coordinating beneficiary and associated beneficiaries stipulate all the financial requirements for project implementation, including the accounting system .The article 6( 6.1-6.9) has clear references on the accounting requirements providing also the project with a transfer flux of the EU amounts, the VAT eligibility and analytical accounting systems to be established at each beneficiary level. The financial departments of the projects beneficiaries implemented properly the CP’s obligations. Each associated beneficiary opened a bank account to be used for the project (annex 4of the partnership agreement).Moreover, the process of receiving the EU contribution (article 6.5) it was established in such a way providing insight to all the expenditures incurred by the associated beneficiaries ,especially for timesheet and invoices form the copies (which will be kept to the coordinating beneficiary).The system is giving the possibility to assure that each beneficiary’s contribution will still be provided accordingly, thus the EU pre-financing rules can be achieved without causing delays to project implementation activities. The coordinating beneficiary will give free assistance to the associated beneficiary in filling, in correctly all the financial forms necessary for reporting. The Ministry of Environment will co-finance the project activities under the responsibilities of the EPA VN, EPA CV and EPA HR. The Ministry established a new unit, the Unit for the Project Financed by the EU, and is the co-finance is directed under the EPA’s general budget, according to project financial agreement and cost incurred every year. The co-financier is and will continue to commit to co-finance the project activities as agree in the project proposal.
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Problems: EPA VN requested in the initial application for funding a job for project financial administrator but from unjustifiable reasons there were cut funds from the budget but it was maintained the organizational structure which included this item in the Project Implementation Unit. Because the entire financial management of the EPA VN is held by one person with secondary education without specialization in financial management of EU funds, to hire a person for the position of financial administrator for the project was considered absolutely necessary. Starting from 15.08.2010, after obtaining the approval letter from the National Agency for Environmental Protection, EPA VN organized a contest for the position of financial administrator of the project and beginning with 01.09.2010 this job was occupied. Funds necessary for payment of required financial administrator job (about 8500 euros for 40 months, part-time) will be allocated for staff category, by recalculating the amounts of other positions held by the contractors engaged in the EPA VN. Plans to continue: Project management will be further ensured by maintaining initially proposed organizational structure. It will follow the initial planning, the deadlines for implementing the actions being checked monthly by the project administrator. The accuracy of financial reports will be verified by the project's financial administrator during requests for payment of instalments related to partnership agreements. After transmission of mid-term report, it will be organized the annual meeting of Director Comity and project leaders to review the implementation and establish planning of future activities. Annexes: Project organizational structure 3.1.19 ACTION E.2: Measuring the project success (project monitoring) Objective: Efficiency and correctness of the project implementation. Status: in progress Progress Internal reporting. In order to control the activities, to submit the results within established deadlines, it was created a system of internal reporting based on monitoring indicators. Referring to this, the annual reports of the partners, annual reports of the Director Council and report on the working group meetings will be submitted internally. According with internal reporting system established in the project, each action is monitored by the project administrator. Each action has an action form completed by project administrator. Periodically the project manager and the project administrator met the project partners for discussions about actions implementation stage. To monitor the success of the project, in late 2010 it was made an internal report which analyzes how to achieve success indicators assumed through the application form. The report analyzes the achievement degree of indicators by comparative highlighting with the baseline. The report presents learned lessons and the manner to solve problems encountered, being a good tool for other projects. The monitoring report is posted on the project website and can also be viewed on the partners websites. Financial documentation is verified and guaranteed by the Financial Department of EPA Vrancea. Checking of financial documentation is made whenever a new application is submitted for payment and at the submission of periodic reports. Also the financial administrator checks the financial documents in original at the partners headquarter. So far no problems have been identified in terms in financial administration of amounts paid in the partners accounts.In order to achieving the scientific monitoring, the Scientific Board was invited to supervise the blueprints regarded to the species conservation. This board is compound of specialists with expertise in analyzing landscape, biodiversity elements, human impact and so on. The composition of Scientific Council designated to supervise the scientific quality of the actions implemented in the project is: Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Associate Profesor Dr. Laurentiu Rozylowicz Associate Profesor Dr. Cristian Ioja Dr. Cristian Tetelea Demostene Biologist Ciurescu Stefan Forestry engineer Vlad Radu Forestry engineer dr. Candrea Bogdan
External monitoring. According to project provisions and the implementing rules for LIFE +, in the first nine months it was made and sent to DG XI European Commission, the Inception report. Sources of verification. Monitoring and assessing the efficiency and success of conservation actions are key elements in general monitoring of the manner of project implementing. Thus, quantifying the project and conservation actions success is permanently achieved through using of some pre-established indicators. In this way, in the attributions of the project administrator are included permanent monitoring of the following indicators: Population of bears maintained in a proper conservation status Identification of the conservation status of the target specie in the Natura 2000 sites of the project’s area; Functionality of the Animal rescue Mobile Unit (ARMU) Function of the Large Carnivores Rehabilitation and Monitoring Centre (LCRMC); Diminution of the cases when the killing of the problem bears is necessary as result of the RAT team’s activity. Assuming of the population level assessment methods demonstratively applied by the wildlife manager units. Elimination of bears mortality caused by poaching and habituation ; Diminution of the juvenile mortality cases. Reducing of damages by demonstrative areas of electrical fences. Positive attitude of local inhabitants, local authorities and tourist on bears protection; Positive attitude of local inhabitants, local authorities and tourist on Nature 2000 protection system Problems: There were no problems in achieveng the activity. Plans to continue: A detailed evaluation of the projects result will be performed after all project’s actions will be implemented. Project’s success will be assessed comparing with the initial situation, before the project started. A Scientific Board will be invited to supervise the blueprints regarded to the species conservation The results of the evaluation will be presented in the new annualy report (for 2011), and posted on the project’s web site. Annexes: Report of project monitoring, implementing, for 2010.
3.1.20 ACTION E.3: Networking with other projects Objective: Transferring the experience and results of the project to other institutions, projects and wildlife managers involved in Ursus arctos management. Expected results: Dissemination of project results, promoting the demonstrative methods and best practices, improving the target species conservation actions by accumulation of innovative experiences used in other projects. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Progress: Networking with other projects In period 28.02.2010 – 02.03.2010, Mr. Silviu Chiriac from EPA VN together with Mr. Mihai Ioan Pop from EPA CV attempt at a conference kick-off type, LIFE08 Regional Kick-off Meeting, organized by European Commission and External Monitoring Team, in Bulgaria, Sofia. With this occasion it was presented the project LIFE08NAT/RO000500 “Best practices and demonstrative actions for conservation of Ursus arctos species in Eastern Carpathians, Romania”. European Commission together with Stella Consulting and MWH organised on 12 May 2010, the LIFE + Information Session 2010. This event took place at the Litexco-Stirbei Room in Bucharest, Romania. The meeting agenda included a presentation of the most representative and successfully LIFE Natura project: LIFE05NAT/RO/000170 “Enhancing the protection system for large carnivores protection in Vrancea County” which it was presented by Silviu Chiriac as project coordinator. This session included also discussions and questions, Silviu Chiriac being also one of the moderators. In period 11-12 May 2010, at Cormos Chalet, Baraolt, Covasna County, took place” The Meeting of Working Group for Large Carnivores Conservation from Romania”. The program included presentation of the LIFEURSUS project, here being presented “Methodology for risk assessment on the bears presence in areas inhabited by humans”. Also, other problems approached were: debating the Action Plan for Bear, proposals for legislative changes and solutions for according compensations for damages made by strictly protected species. At this meeting participated Mr. Radu Sandu from EPA VN. During 16-22 May 2010, at Tbilisi, Georgia, it was developed the “19th International Conference on Bear Research and Management”. One of the main objectives of the Tbilisi conference was to promote dialogue between bear specialists of the West and the East, bringing scientists and conservationists to share their experiences, discuss and possibly plan future cooperation in the fields of bear research and management. At the session referent to “Bear movement and habitat use”, Mr. Leonardo Bereczky, Silviu Chiriac (from LIFE08NAT/RP/000500) and Ramon Jurj from ICAS Brasov presented the work entitled “A comparison of home range size, movements, habitat use and activity patterns of released orphan brown bears and wild captured brown bears in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania”. The represents of our project participated also at the Poster session with 2 posters: “Risk assessment team - a tool for human-bear conflict management in the Romanian Eastern Carpatians” (Pop Ioan Mihai and Nadia Chiriac) and “Best practices for brown bear conservation in the Carpathians south-east area” (Silviu Chiriac, Radu Mihai Sandu and Nadia Chiriac). A team formed by represents of EPA VN from LIFE+Natura project LIFE08NAT/RO 000500 attended at then training course “Implementation and management of BET – Bear Emergency Team” made in the frame of the EU LIFE+ program (project LIFE07/NAT/IT/000502 – Improving the conditions for large carnivore conservation – transfer of the best practices). The course was organised by Transilvania University of Brasov, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering on 02 June 2010, at this meeting participating Silviu Chiriac, Radu Sandu. Mihai Pop and Nadia Chiriac. On 17 July 2010 took place a photo exposition and catalogue launching named “Vrancea lands”. These materials are the result of implementing a national program for promoting natural and cultural values Romania Student Tour. Members of our project were involved in this program, organising trips in different protected areas with photo teams from the Romania Student Tour, taking picture and putting at organizers disposure different pictures with large carnivores, especially brown bears.
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
20th International Conference on Bear Research & Management, July 17 - 23, 2011, Ottawa, Canada – International Bear Association annual Conference. From July 11 to 23, 2011, in Ottawa, Canada was held the conference "20th International Conference on Bear Research & Management", having as objectives exchanging experience and dissemination of new information on management of the species within the family Ursidae. During the conference, members of the project working group presenting two posters containing partial results obtained in the project. Representative of the working group of the LIFEURSUS project was Mr. Leonardo Bereczky from the ACNV, which has provided funds for travel in Canada. The subjects of presented posters are: “Analyses of the Romanian south eastern Carpathians human bear conflicts based on bear damages, human opinion, bear hunting” authors Pop Ioan Mihai Leonardo Berezcky, Silviu Chiriac and Radu Mihai Sandu “Analyze of brown bear populations regulating factors in the Romanian Carpathians based on a case study on survival rate and mortality cause of rehabilitated and re - introduced brown bears” authors Leonardo Bereczky, Ioan Mihai Pop and Silviu Chiriac “Orphan bear rehabilitation centre a pilot project in the Romanian Carpathians” authors Leonardo Bereczky, Ximena Anegroaei In period 20-22 June 2011, representatives of the working group of URSUS LIFE project participated at the workshop "International Exchange Meeting on Ecological Networks 2nd Edition" in which they presented the project objectives and actions and some partial results. The workshop had as main theme for discussion, ensuring connectivity between habitats populated by species of carnivores being presented projects implemented in the Alpine region. Also a part of the workshop was reserved on technical proposals about ecological network necessary in the Carpathians. The LIFEURSUS project team presented information existing until that moment about brown bear habitat fragmentation and degradation in the project area and the method to be applied to analyze fragmentation degree and identification of key areas and ecological corridors. Participants were considered that part of the project results can be used in the context of developing an ecological network for large carnivores in the Carpathian region. In this context, the LIFEURSUS project team has assert support of future projects that will be made to develop an ecological network in the Carpathians, by providing to all those interested of the expertise and information acquired in the project, indirectly through the database that was created and also directly by project members involved in future projects. Implementation of a voluntary/research program The experience of the previous Life projects demonstrated that the voluntary programs for researchers, students, from Romanian or European universities generates a rich experience change and information regarding species and habitat conservation. To attract interested persons in the voluntary program, on the www.carnivoremari.ro website was posted a link which interested persons may obtain information on the conditions and acceptable research topics. Candidates should be motivated to improve the quality of knowledge in resolving conflicts between humans and bears by implementing best practices and demonstrative actions to conserve species of Ursus arctos. Topics that might be included in the volunteer program are: - juvenile mortality caused by disturbance of bear dens - detailed analysis of the circumstances, identifying the main causes, prevention advice on these cases - bear attacks on human settlements - detailed analysis of the circumstances, identifying the main causes, prevention advice on these cases - implementation of demonstration systems of sheepfolds, crops, orchards and apiaries protection Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
- risk assessment and measures where necessary in problem situations created by bears - awareness campaign to reduce human-bear conflicts and promotion of Natura 2000 sites - brown bear image in the media - objectivity, accuracy, content quality, influence on public opinion - promoting traditional products made by locals in areas populated by bear. Selection of volunteers will be done by the Environmental Protection Agency Vrancea and Association for Conservation of Biological Diversity by analyzing the following documents: • Submission of a letter of intent, which will shortly present the study objectives in the areas mentioned above; • Presentation of a letter of recommendation from a tutor or advisor teacher of the university; • Curriculum vitae Study area lies mainly on Subcarpathians and Vrancea Mountains with the possibility of expansion in the implementation area of project LIFE08NAT/RO/000500 (Vrancea, Harghita and Covasna). Until now, in the volunteer program there has developed activity the following persons: Name
Country
University
Period of voluntariate
Theme addresed
Traista KatalinAnett Bouros George
Romania
Faculty of Biology Iasi
30.06.2011 – 30.07.2011
Monitoring of large carnivores through non invasive techniques
Romania
Faculty of Geography Bucharest
June 2010 – June 2011
Iulia
Romania
Faculty of Geography Bucharest
April 2010May 2010
Iulia
Romania
Lucian Patrascu
Romania
Faculty of Geography Bucharest Faculty of Geography Bucharest
August 2011 prezent August 2011 present
Gherceanu Ioana Marc P. Weeber
Romania
Faculty of Geography Bucharest Wageningen University
May 2010 – August 2010 August 2010 – 30 September 2010 August 2010 – 30 September 2010 May 2011. 30 June 2011.
Analyse of habitat fragmentation in SCI Putna-Vrancea (dissertation thesis) Non-ivasive techniques of monitoring large carnivores (Thesis diploma) Analyse of vulnerability degree of brown bear Dispersion of large carnivores based on geomorphological conditions in the Putna-Vrancea Natural Park Analyse of relative abundance of brown bear with traps camera Scale of habitat selection of young brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Romania Habitat type influence on the habitat selection of young brown bears in Romania. Training-ship and experience change in methods for rehabilitate brown bear cubs. Voluntary in the project of bear rehabilitation
Joong Jost
Netherlands
de Netherlands
Serghei
Russia
Danial Violett
England
Alexandra Sallay
Germany
Wageningen University Wildlife and Forestry University Vladivostok Environmental Protection Agency from Shetland, England Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management Austria
Problems: No problems encountered. Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
July – 15August 2011
May 2011 present
Basic Research in Problematic Behaviour and Management of Habituated and Food-Conditioned Brown Bears (Ursus arctos)
Plans to continue: There will be disseminate the project results, it will be promote the demonstrative methods and best practices at national and international level and will be continued accumulation of innovative experience using other projects experience. Annexes: Photo gallery 3.2 Envisaged progress until next report The next report will be in October 2012 and the progress envisaged until the will be according to the project agreed calendar. The upcoming reporting period foresees the development of the following activities:
A1
Creating the project’s implementing team an the Steering Committee
A2
Creating an integrated GIS database
A4
Analyze the bear damages
C1
Demonstrative application of a method set for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the bear population
C2
C3
Creation and demonstrative working of an entity which will establish the risks and necessary measures in situations created by problem bears Extending of the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit (ARMU)’s action range
C4
Reducing of juvenile mortality caused by human disturbance
C5
Lobby for adopting of a methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population
C6
Implementing at the entire project level of several demonstrative crop, livestock and farm protection systems
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
After delivering the mid-term report, in November there will be organised the Annual Meeting of Partners, following to be analysed the plans for continuation of implementing the activities. At this meeting there will participate members of the working group, the responsibles with activities implementation but also heads of partner institutions and organisations. Permanently up dating the database and use GIS portal by all partners. Constantly filling the database referring on damage caused by bears in the three counties overlapping to project area and directing the project team to implement safety systems to areas with high incidents In the next period, it will be achieved the centralization of collected data, action what will be realized in early 2012, with the whole project working group following that all problems identified to be discussed and analyzed to improve methods. It also will be a first processing and interpretation of recorded data. A first report on the action results will take place in November-December 2011. During the following period the methodology will be simplified by reducing the number of forms and will establish repellents methods with immediately implementation after the conflict analysis, in order to improve public perception of the RAT team. It will continue the campaign for distribute posters and leaflets with promoting activities. To ensure the functioning of CRMCM Lepsa, it will be ensure permanent staff (the project team members and volunteers). ARMU team will intervene whenever necessary in specific activities. Monitoring during the next winter (2011-2012) of at least 15 bear dens in the project area; Up-dating data base referring at the dens and areas favorable for winter sleep location; Identifying and limiting disturbance factors that lead to den abandonment and offspring mortality; In the following period until November, people from the MEF responsible with brown bear management will be invited to participate at the field activities and data collection. At the beginning of 2012 another workshop will be organized to present the first results based on field collected data’s. Demonstrative protection systems will be installed next year based on the information collected during the action on the analysis of damage (A4) and at the RAT team requests (C2).Surveillance of protection systems operation through visits of sites and filling out forms will be done in order to avoid technical problems and assess the success of the mission.
C7
Analyze of the degradation and fragmentation level of the brown bear habitats
D1
Promotion of the project, it’s objectives and results
D3
Awareness campaign for promoting the brown bear’s conservation and conflict reduction methods
D4
Promoting the best practices and actions necessary to protect the hibernation dens
D5
Awareness campaign for promoting the communitarian interest sites and socio-economical benefits generated by the Natura 2000 site status
D6
Awareness campaign for promoting local traditional products of farmers and handcrafters
E1
Project coordination, project management and financial administration
E2
Measuring the project success
E3
Networking with other projects
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
GIS analysis will take place in the next phase. After obtaining the results and it will be realized verification and correction of model obtained based on field checking in critical areas. Based on these, it will be developed the final model and the set of measures proposed to reduce degradation and habitat fragmentation. It will be updated the web page of the project. The project newsletter no.2 will be achieved and produced in 100 exemplars in order to be disseminated to all project partners, institutions and target groups interested in the project activities. With this occasion they will be inform about the actual stage of the actions and activities developed. There will be released articles in local and national mass-media, press conferences for main event of the project and eventually scientific publications in national and international papers. In the next period will be organize new meetings with stakeholders to achieve the taken objective. There will also be realized booklets with the topic "We Are Also Responsible" and will be made/mounted banners in 50 locations in the project area. There also will be held press conferences in these three counties overlapping on project area. In the next period there will be organized new meetings with the target groups to achieve the taken objective.
Organizing meetings with the stakeholders in Covasna and Harghita counties- the socio economical benefits of the Natura 2000 network’s implementation; Organizing Event promotion with the occasion of International Day of Nature Protection, Earth Day, Green Day, etc.; Drawings exposition and concourse organized with the thematic Natura 2000 and the conservation of the brown bear. Action will continue with achieving self-adhesive labels "bear friendly" and "product at a Natura 2000 site" which will be distributed to producers who meet the conditions necessary for such certification. Will be made a brochure to promote the products labeled with “bear-friendly” and “product at a Natura 2000 site” and distributed to manufacturers, stakeholders, retailers, supermarket and tour operator agencies. Project management will be further ensured by maintaining initially proposed organizational structure. It will follow the initial planning, the deadlines for implementing the actions being checked monthly by the project administrator. After transmission of mid-term report, it will be organized the annual meeting of Director Comity and project leaders to review the implementation and establish planning of future activities. A detailed evaluation of the projects result will be performed after all project’s actions will be implemented. Project’s success will be assessed comparing with the initial situation, before the project started. A Scientific Board will be invited to supervise the blueprints regarded to the species conservation The results of the evaluation will be presented in the new annualy report (for 2011), and posted on the project’s web site. There will be disseminate the project results, it will be promote the demonstrative methods and best practices at national and international level and will be continued accumulation of innovative experience using other projects experience
3.3.GANTT Chart of project progress Action
2010
Number/name Overall project schedule
1T
Creating the project’s implementing team and the Steering Committee
A2
Creating an integrated GIS database
A3
Elaboration of a strategy for implementing the raising awareness actions
A4
Analyze the bear damages
3T
O
O
Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual
Reducing of juvenile mortality caused by human disturbance
Proposed
Lobby for adopting of a methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population
Proposed
C5
Proposed
C6
Implementing at the entire project level of several demonstrative crop, livestock and farm protection systems
C4
2T
Actual
Proposed
C3
1T
X
Demonstrative application of a method set for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the bear population Creation and demonstrative working of an entity which will establish the risks and necessary measures in situations created by problem bears Extending of the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit (ARMU)’s action range
C2
4T
X
C. Concrete conservation actions : C1
3T
Proposed
A. Preparatory actions, elaboration of management plans and/or action plans : A1
2T
2011
Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual
Actual
Actual
Actual
2012 4T
1T
2T
2013 3T
4T X
1T
2T X
3T
4T X
C7
Analyze of the degradation and fragmentation level of the brown bear habitats
Proposed Actual
D. Public awareness and dissemination of results : D1
Promotion of the project, it’s objectives and results
D2
Install notice boards
D3
Awareness campaign for promoting the brown bear’s conservation and conflict reduction methods
D4
D5
D6
Awareness campaign for promoting the best practices and actions necessary to protect the hibernation dens Awareness campaign for promoting the communitarian interest sites and socio-economical benefits generated by the Natura 2000 site status Awareness campaign for promoting local traditional products of farmers and handcrafters
Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual
E. Overall project operation and monitoring: E1
Project coordination, project management and financial administration
E2
Measuring the project success
E3
Networking with other projects
E4
Project audit
E5
After LIFE Conservation Plan
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual
3.3 Impact Nature & Biodiversity: On each site Natura 2000 sites from the project area, the results of the project activity are different as impact and also as direct results. The main results are developed around the objectives of the administrators of the site’s related with the management of bear in Natura 2000 network. The activity on Natura 200 site’s were based on communication tools and field activities with the stakeholders (game unit’s managers, site administration’s), during project activity implementation. Site code ROSCI0090
ROSCI0130
ROSCI0023 ROSCI0036 ROSCI0208 ROSCI0127 ROSCI0228 ROSCI0097 ROSCI0248 ROSCI0091
ROSCI0037 ROSCI0182 ROSCI0204 ROSCI0018 ROSCI0256
Site Name Harghita Madaras
Send Messages The need of den protection as a basic conservation measure for brown bear population. Human-bear coexistence is a human responsibility. Oituz - Ojdula The need of den protection as a basic conservation measure for brown bear population. Promoting of eco tourism, and wildlife tracking Cascada Misina Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Cheile Varghisului Human-bear coexistence is a human responsibility. Tourists must respect basic rules in the wild. Putna Vrancea The need of den protection as a basic conservation measure for brown bear population. Muntioru Ursoaia Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important. Sindrilita Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important Lacul Negru Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important Tinovul Mohos Lacul Sfanta Human-bear coexistence is a human responsibility. Ana Tourists must respect basic rules in the wild. Herculian The project members were involved in the site management plan development towards large carnivore’s conservation. Ciomad Balvanyos The field personal of the administrator was trained on the field in use of new methods for bear monitoring Padurea Verdele Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important Poiana Muntioru Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important Caldarile Zabalei Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important Ruginosu Zagon Small reserves with high resources of food could be essential for bear conservation. Size is not important. The field personal of the administrator was trained on the field in use of new methods for bear monitoring
The impact of the activities will be quantified at the end of the project in relation to the future management of each site. Indirect impacts: population and local authorities from Covasna and Harghita county were not familiar with the implementation of some large projects financed from EU funds, we believe that a positive outcome of this project is the fact that all partners and a large part of local communities understood that by accessing such funds can make a viable connection between nature conservation and sustainable development.
During project implementation, the entire implementation team project tried to use the logo LIFE - Nature for changing attitudes locals and local authorities, which, believe it was made. Now Life logo is guarantor of benefical activities for nature conservation and especially for the future of local communities. Involving in this project as partners of some public institutions of important at county level and NGOs had as result an opening and an initiation of these in accessing other European or national funds. Practical the financial support offered by European Commission in this project was a key step and a starting point for nature conservation activities in Vrancea, Covasna and Harghita County. Shares bear conservation in Natura 2000 sites are elements that guarantee respecting of measures established by management plans and involving of all partner institutions under the LIFE logo will ensure the strengthening of partnership relations in the future. 4. Financial review by actions
Action number and name Action A.1: Creating the project’s implementing team and the Steering Committee Action A.2: Creating an integrated GIS database to support and demonstrate conservation actions of the project Action A.3: Elaboration of a strategy for implementing the raising awareness actions, based on the assessment of the local people’s perception of the target specie in the Natura 2000 site’s ecological network Action A.4: Analyze the bear damages at the entire project’s area level in order to establish the protection system’s implementing sites Action C.1: Demonstrative application of a method set for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the bear population in areas strictly demarcated and administrated from game management point of view Action C.2: Creation and demonstrative working at the entire project’s area level of an entity which will establish the risks and necessary measures in situations created by problem bears Action C.3: Extending of the Animal Rescue Mobile Unit (ARMU)’s action range at the entire level of the project area and insuring of rapid interventions for capturing, relocating and monitoring of problem bears Action C.4: Reducing of juvenile mortality caused by human disturbance with the protection of hibernation dens in the cub nourishing period
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS
Foreseen costs
Spent so far
Remaining
Projected final cost
1.700
1.847
-147
1.847
22.800
18.479
4.321
22.800
2.500
1.227
1273
2.500
8.200
6.991
1.209
6.991
92.800
51.767
41.033
92.800
57.800
19.760
38.040
57.800
48.430
30.963
17.467
48.430
39.900
24.564
15.336
39.900
Action C5: Lobby for adopting by the Environmental Ministry (MM) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MADR) of a methodological guide on the optimal methods of assessing the brown bear population Action C.6: Implementing at the entire project level of several demonstrative crop, livestock and farm protection systems by using repelent equippment and substances
2.500
949
1.551
2.500
52.600
20.583
32.017
52.600
7.100
1.981
5.119
7.100
22.500
12.967
9.533
22.500
2.690
1.019
1.671
1.019
19.780
1.510
18.270
19.780
7.200
1.784
5.416
7.200
13.500
5.928
7.572
13.500
9.495
1.838
7.657
9.495
30.875
14.242
16.633
30.875
29.000
14.298
14.702
29.000
Action E.3: Networking with other projects
6.800
2.525
4.275
6.800
Action E.4: Project audit
3.200
0
3.200
3.200
0
0
0
0
481.370
235.222
246.148
481.370
Action C.7: Analyze of the degradation and fragmentation level of the brown bear habitats Action D.1: Promotion of the project, it’s objectives and results Action D.2: Install notice boards Action D.3: Awareness campaign for promoting the brown bear’s conservation and conflict reduction methods Action D.4: Awareness campaign in order to promote the best practices and actions necessary to protect the hibernation dens and diminishing the causes which lead at the cub’s abandon Action D.5: Awareness campaign for promoting the communitarian interest sites, designated for large carnivore conservation, and for promoting the socioeconomical benefits generated by the Natura 2000 site status Action D.6: Awareness campaign for promoting local traditional products of farmers and handcrafters as tool to improve coexistence with brown bears in Natura 2000 sites Action E.1: Project coordination, project management and financial administration Action E.2: Measuring the project success
Action E.5: After LIFE Conservation Plan TOTAL
Mid-term report LIFEURSUS