Well-known and well-documented data for Europe show that free-ranging healthy wolves do not pose a threat to humans. There has not been a recorded attack by a wolf on a human in Slovenia in the past 100 years. There are known cases in which wolves live in the immediate vicinity of human dwellings, are accustomed to humans, and cause no problems. The most burning issue in the present-day management of the wolf population in Slovenia is depredation by wolves on livestock, in particular sheep.

It is important to understand and monitor the public’s attitude towards wolves, since management plans for the species are formulated by people. In so doing we can base our positions on the values which have already been formally defined by different international conventions and EU directives on the conservation of nature, and consequently are also incorporated into national legislation. It is nonetheless important in a democratic society to pay attention to “the little guy” and the needs of ordinary citizens. During the SloWolf project we will performs several surveys investigating the attitude of the broader public (i.e. the residents of an area in which wolves are present) as well as of two of the most important interest groups: hunters and sheep farmers. Hunters and wolves share the same prey, and sheep farmers often suffer losses as a result of wolf depredation, which have financial as well as emotional impacts.

In our research we use the quantitative method based on survey questionnaires. Using statistical analysis of data collected in the field we will be able to define the viewpoints of interest groups. In mid-October 2010 we successfully concluded a survey of sheep farmers conducted in the field. About 75% of sheep farmers who live in areas with the permanent or occasional presence of wolves were willing to cooperate in the survey. In October 2010 we also distributed questionnaires to the broader public and to hunters, and we have now gathered their responses. By July 2011 we will prepare a report that will present the results of analyzed data gathered through questionnaires, and based on this information we will formulate a strategy aimed at minimizing conflicts between these groups and wolves. We hope that this project will contribute towards the more balanced and successful conservation of the wolf population in Slovenia.