The wolf (Canis lupus) plays an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By primarily hunting sick or weakened animals, wolves help sustain stronger and more resilient populations of herbivores. This natural regulation indirectly supports vegetation regeneration and ensures the long-term balance of forests and grasslands.
At the same time, wolves can sometimes come into conflict with local communities when livestock are targeted. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to reduce such incidents and encourage coexistence. Electric fences can protect flocks from predators, while specially trained shepherd dogs provide an additional layer of security. Proper disposal or management of animal remains helps prevent wolves from being drawn into villages, and supporting local initiatives for wolf protection and monitoring strengthens conservation efforts.
Through the COOP4SAFE project, these measures are implemented to promote coexistence between people and wildlife. By focusing on conflict prevention and mitigation, the project helps safeguard natural habitats while managing interactions between humans and large carnivores across the cross-border regions of Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Strengthening cooperation between authorities, local communities, and experts is key to protecting biodiversity while providing practical, sustainable solutions for human–wildlife coexistence.