Cross-border sustainable management of wildlife resources
The project consists in the setting up of a Monitoring Committee across the Italian-Slovenian border to track the development of population trends, use of habitats, health and nutritional conditions of some interesting animal species from the point of view of wildlife (large carnivores) and game (wild ungulates). The project also aims at carrying out an analysis of hygienic-health conditions with regard to pathologies of wild ungulate species present in the area of reference, with special reference to zoonosis, common diseases among wild ungulates and domestic breeds (cattle) and diseases that are transmissible from animal to man. The population of wildlife species under examination live in the border area and therefore require to be managed according to common and shared criteria; for this reason, existing problems are examined and discussed by ad-hoc Joint Italian - Slovenian Commissions. The study, monitoring and the drawing up of scientific documentation are particularly important as they are the basis for the definition of harmonisation proposals of management systems, the conservation and fruition of the fauna and health assessment protocols in a cross-border context, as laid down in Community regulations in terms of protection of wildlife species. Considering the significant environmental and social role of the species under examination, the information gathered and the results achieved also aim at drawing up proposals for the eco-tourist development of the border area, through a number of initiatives of a promotional and informative nature. In this sense, the facility located in the village of Stupizza is used as the Visitors’ and Education Centre devoted to wildlife fauna. To this end, a thematic playground for children will be set up, as well as a “self-guided” educational thematic itinerary on large carnivores with the availability of bilingual guides. An illustrated book will also be produced as well as leaflets, posters, maps, and a short volume outlining the naturalistic paths present in the area of reference. A system of video-traps will also be put in place so as to allow the reproduction at the Visitors’ Centre of the images and sounds of wildlife as detected in the border area. Finally, a few structural interventions are planned to upgrade the path leading to the Visitors’ Centre.