| Project duration: | 2022-2026 |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Active |
| Project leader: | Dr. hab. D.P.J. Kuijper, associate professor |
| Project co-investigators: |
Dr. Marcin Churski Dr. Paulina Szafrańska Dr. Elise Say-Sallaz MSc. Katharina Kasper Prof. Dr. Liana Zanette (Western University, London, Canada) Dr. Mike Clinchy (Western University, London, Canada) Dr. Maciej Szewczyk (University of Gdańsk) |
The wolf expansion into human-dominated areas in Europe creates a new conservation challenge of how to protect this species and manage human-wolf conflicts. Attraction of wolves to anthropogenic food in these areas in combination with a mild human response to wolves (prohibition of wolf hunting) could lead to selection for less fearful, ‘tamer’, wolves. When wolves are losing their fear of humans it may also change their ecological role. In this project we set the following research goals: 1) Determine to what extent wolves are losing their fear of humans in Europe Europe (more information here), 2) Assess the consequences of changes in wolf behaviour for their ecological impact.