--- title: "Support large carnivore conservation with us" description: "The wolf, the lynx and the bear are native carnivore species and apex predators in Europe. What is their role in nature and does it make sense to protect them? And how are they even spreading back to us?" canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/support-large-carnivore-conservation" last_updated: "2024-05-31" --- # Support large carnivore conservation with us Authors: Petra Kovalčíková Date: 2024-05-31 The wolf, the lynx and the bear are native carnivore species and apex predators in Europe. What is their role in nature and does it make sense to protect them? And how are they even spreading back to us? Nature offers us peace, breathtaking scenery, and the chance to observe the diversity of fascinating ecosystems. It's a refuge for all of us – hikers, cyclists, and backpackers alike. With human activity in forests and mountains on the rise, it's all the more important to think about preserving natural beauty for future generations, whether we're heading out on a day hike, a weekend trip, or a thru-hike. We should always follow "Leave No Trace" principles – not leaving trash behind, minimizing our impact on nature, and respecting and protecting wildlife. We'll see the results of our efforts not just around us, but within ourselves too – that good feeling is priceless. ## Our June campaign to support large carnivore conservation At Gramino **we want to go a step further and give something back to nature**. That's why we support organizations that contribute to nature conservation and preserving biodiversity. And now you can be part of it too! We decided that **we'll donate 1% of all our June revenue on the** [**gramino.com**](/) **e-shop** to one organization that makes a huge contribution to environmental protection here. **That organization is** [**Hnutí DUHA Šelmy**](https://www.selmy.cz/) **dedicated to protecting wolves, lynx, and bears in the Czech Republic.** There's no hidden agenda, no catches, and no complicated conditions. You don't have to do anything, and **you don't pay a cent extra**. Just **order something from us in June 2024 and you're already helping**. The bigger your order, the more money we'll donate to Hnutí DUHA Šelmy thanks to you. ### 2023 This isn't the first time we've worked with Hnutí DUHA Šelmy. Back at the end of 2023, we **supported the organization financially with an amount of 15,000 CZK** (you can read more about our partnerships and support for nonprofit organizations here). We're hoping to multiply that amount together again this year! ### 2024 Thanks to your support 💛 and purchases in our ultralight hiking gear shop 🏕️, we raised 28,000 CZK for large carnivore conservation during June 2024. We decided to round that amount up **to a nice 30,000 CZK** and donate it to the nonprofit organization Hnutí DUHA Šelmy. Thank you to everyone who took part in our campaign and helped us give something back to nature. We filmed a video with Jirka Labuda, a field worker from Hnutí DUHA Šelmy, who **explains clearly and with concrete examples** why protecting large carnivores in our region matters. How are large carnivores spreading back into our region? And what myths are circulating about them? Could you actually run into one while hiking through the Czech countryside? And what about Slovakia? **And what should you do if you happen to meet one?** You'll find out all of that and plenty of other interesting and useful information in the video or [in the written interview](/blog/wolves-lynx-and-bears-in-czechia). [Video](https://youtu.be/DWJ1T9naeFo) ## Why did we decide to support Hnutí DUHA Šelmy? We're aware that protecting large carnivores has become a fairly **controversial topic** in our society lately. Despite that – or maybe precisely because of it – we believe Hnutí DUHA Šelmy needs support so it can keep **debunking** the [**myths and misinformation**](https://www.selmy.cz/povery-a-fakta/) that circulate around large carnivores. [Hnutí DUHA Šelmy](https://www.selmy.cz/) leads wildlife conservation efforts in the Czech Republic and focuses on protecting the large carnivores that live here – **lynx, wolves, and bears**. These species are **essential to maintaining ecological balance** in our forests, and their presence is an indicator of a healthy environment. ### What Hnutí DUHA Šelmy does Hnutí DUHA Šelmy is involved in a wide range of activities aimed at helping all of us **coexist together – and above all, safely**. Here are some of the key areas the donated funds will go toward. ### 1. Monitoring and research Detailed monitoring of lynx, wolf, and bear populations. Using camera traps and other technologies to gather accurate data on the numbers and movement of these animals. Organizing [Wolf and Lynx Patrols](https://www.selmy.cz/zapojte-se/vlci-rysi-hlidky/co-delaji/), which you can join too. The research results are then used to better understand these animals' behavior and needs. ### **2.** **Preventing illegal hunting** Active work to prevent the illegal hunting of large carnivores. This includes cooperating with local communities, public education programs, and supporting legislative measures to protect these animals. ### **3. Awareness and education** Organizing events and campaigns to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting large carnivores. This includes lectures, workshops, and information campaigns aimed at all age groups. You can also read more about large carnivore conservation in their [e-book](https://www.selmy.cz/ebook/), which is free to download. ### **4. Supporting coexistence between people and carnivores** Working on projects that support peaceful and safe coexistence between people and large carnivores. This includes, for example, consultations and support for livestock farmers installing protective measures, and support for local communities in their efforts to protect nature. ## Why do we think protecting large carnivores matters? **The wolf, the lynx, and the bear** are **native carnivore species and apex predators** in Europe. That puts them at the top of the food pyramid. It's beyond question that as carnivores, they affect wild ungulate populations, reduce their numbers, and in doing so help maintain the natural balance between herbivores and forest vegetation. Large carnivores influence the behavior, physical condition, and health of entire wild ungulate populations (roe deer, red deer, wild boar, and so on). Because of their spatial requirements, protecting them also ends up protecting large areas that are home to other, less conspicuous or less publicly appealing species. Last but not least, there's also an ethical dimension to protecting large carnivores – **like every other species on the planet, they have a right to survive**. ## What threatens large carnivores? All three large carnivore species in the Czech Republic are threatened above all by **poaching – illegal hunting**, which is partly rooted in **prejudice and negative attitudes** toward carnivores among part of the public. **Landscape fragmentation** and the **disruption of migration routes** of these large mammals are also a major problem. Wolves, lynx, and bears are all fairly tolerant of many forms of economic development, but modern highways and land development block their free movement through their natural habitat. Wolves and lynx can even inhabit fairly cultivated, agricultural landscapes where they find enough food. That's why bears are the ones most threatened by the **destruction of natural habitats**. Wolves and lynx, too, can be threatened by things like inappropriate logging in the core areas where they occur. Have you seen the documentary [**David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet**](https://www.csfd.cz/film/812944-david-attenborough-zivot-na-nasi-planete/prehled/), made with **David Attenborough**, one of the most famous and respected nature scientists and documentary makers around? If not, we highly recommend it, since it ties in closely with this topic. ## Useful links and more information Want to learn more or [support](https://www.selmy.cz/podpora/formular/) Hnutí DUHA Šelmy directly? Check out their official website or social media: - [Website](https://www.selmy.cz/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ochrana_velkych_selem/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Ochrana.velkych.selem/) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@velkeselmycz/) - [Okem šelmy podcast](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/okem-selmy) (a joint podcast by Hnutí DUHA Šelmy and [7.G](https://sedmagenerace.cz/)) By the way, Jirka was also a guest on [**episode 18 of our Život na treku podcast**](/blog/sleeping-outdoors-and-large-carnivores-jiri-labuda). We talked not just about large carnivores, but also about how to **sleep legally and safely in the Czech outdoors**. You might also recognize Jirka from last year's [Život na treku festival](https://zivotnatreku.cz/) – based on the feedback, his talk was one of the most interesting and useful ones! On behalf of the Gramino team and the nonprofit organization Hnutí DUHA Šelmy, **thank you for your support**! 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