Abstract
The return of wolves causes severe conflicts in the German-speaking area of the Alps, mainly about predation on livestock. Nevertheless, livestock protection is barely used and is refused by many livestock farmers in Bavaria, Austria and the province of South Tyrol (IT). LIFEstockProtect is the first project coordinated by a farmers’ association, in cooperation with organizations from the organic and conventional agricultural sector, as well as the environmental, research and tourism sectors to define and implement effective strategies for the coexistence with wolves and preserve also small scale livestock breeding for the future. Using a bottom-up approach, peer-to-peer capacity building training on livestock protection will take place through farmers’ associations. The project will establish a volunteer and an ambassador network in each project area that provide practical assistance to livestock farmers and shepherds with implementation and promotion of livestock protection. Additionally, scientific activities will investigate the environmental impact of grazing on the site-specific biodiversity and define parameters to measure the feasibility of livestock protection in the Alpine ecosystem. The success of the innovative “from farmers for farmers” approach to encounter this human-nature conflict will be monitored during the next four years. First reactions from the main target group of livestock farmers confirm this strategy and encourage to apply the peer-to-peer approach also in other contexts and geographic areas such as the Caucasus region.