EAZA European Carnivore Campaign
2008-2010

The EAZA European Carnivore Campaign 2008-2010 was launched on 17 September 2008 with the aim to raise awareness for nature in Europe in general and large carnivores in particular. When we, Europeans, think about nature conservation, we tend to think in terms of exotic species in faraway places. We often forget that here, in our own continent, we still have beautiful landscapes, complex habitats and a diverse fauna, which also need help.

As carnivores more and more move into 'our' space, they become competitors for 'our' resources and living space. As a result, we no longer seem to respect them and see them as pests which damage our profit margins or safety. We should however be aware that they are objects of beauty and wonder and, as carnivores are usually so easily recognizable by the general public (e.g. wolf, bear, lynx), that they make excellent flag ship species that can be used to raise awareness of conservation needs. 

As of the end of 2011 the European Carnivore Campaign had raised a total of €436,630. We still have a small amount of funding which we need to disburse and suitable projects will be found. The Campaign has increased the awareness of European wildlife both amongst our membership and for our visitors. We have established good contacts with a number of conservation organizations which will form a good basis going forward for new European conservation initiatives by EAZA members.                                                         

For further information, please see the EAZA European Carnivore Campaign Fact Sheet.

Or visit the websites of project partners:

-          www.fwff.org  - Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (Bulgaria)

-          www.wwf.se - WWF Sweden

-          www.ppnea.org - Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania

-          www.vulturefoundation.org - Vulture ConservationFoundation

-          www.slovakwildlife.org - Slovak Wildlife Society

-          www.birdlife.org/worldwide/national/bulgaria - Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds

-          www.sambah.org - SAMBAH

-          www.birdlife.org/worldwide/national/hungary - Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society

-          www.lutreola.ee - European mink programme

-          www.alertis.nl - Foundation for bear protection and conservation