Expert excursion to the Italian province of Trento: a tour of measures to protect grazing animals from attacks by large carnivores
The project partners and key stakeholders of the project LIFE Varna paša visited the Italian province of Trento during a 4-day expert excursion, in august 2024. This region was chosen because it has similar conditions for mountain grazing to those in Slovenia, which allowed us to learn more about good practices in protecting grazing animals and to exchange experiences with our Italian colleagues, who are well acquainted with the issues and specific conditions in this area.
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Srečanje z italijanskimi strokovnjaki v prostorih Pokrajinske zveze rejcev Trento, avtor Karmen Bizjak Bat
During the visit, we met with experts from the Large Carnivore Department of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Provincial Association of Livestock Breeders of Trento, with whom we discussed various aspects of livestock breeding. Particular emphasis was placed on analyzing the state of damage caused by wolves and bears and on effective measures to protect against attacks by large carnivores. The discussion also included a presentation of the project LIFE Varna paša, highlighting the importance of cooperation between different stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions.
The excursion was an important opportunity to deepen our knowledge on the protection of grazing animals and to understand how Italy faces the challenges of coexistence between people, grazing animals and large carnivores. The exchange of good practices and direct contacts with experts and implementers of measures are crucial for further implementation in Slovenia.
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Planina Riondera, avtor Karmen Bizjak Bat
On a tour of the wolf area in the Lessinia region, we visited the Riondera Mountains, where a tourist farm focuses on farming with a small livestock. During the visit, we paid particular attention to the protective measures used by the breeder to protect the herd from large carnivores. The farmer uses a combination of different types of protective equipment, including livestock guarding dogs, which are key in deterring predators, in combination with different types of fencing, including electric nets and wooden fences, further reinforced with wire fencing.
We then visited Planina Sega, where we saw the extensive 3-kilometre high electric fence designed to protect cows from predator attacks. During the visit, we were also shown how the mountain itself is managed, including the organization of grazing and the experience of coexisting with large carnivores.
We also visited the Prada di S. Lorenzo area, which is known for the constant presence of bears. There we visited the mountain pasture where the shepherd looks after the herd and uses low electric nets to provide extra protection for the animals at night. The shepherd is also assisted by sheepdogs, which are essential for herding the animals in the evening. We also visited a purpose-built shepherd’s hut, which provides shelter and suitable living conditions for the shepherd during the grazing season on the mountain.
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Udeleženci strokovne ekskurzije, avtor Karmen Bizjak Bat
The whole visit highlighted the importance of adapting traditional practices to modern challenges, such as coexistence with large carnivores and the protection of animals in the open. We would like to thank Mr. Claudio Groff and Mr. Matteo Zena and all their colleagues for their help in organizing the excursion, generously sharing information, and accompanying us.
For more information on our experiences and solutions for the protection of grazing animals, follow our activities on our website.