Media

Description

This stakeholder category includes journalists, photographers, filmmakers, videographers and other media professionals involved in documenting and communicating information about large carnivores. Through news coverage, documentaries, photographs and digital communication, they contribute to shaping public awareness and perceptions of wildlife conservation and human–large carnivore interactions.

Their main challenges concern fact-checking, responsible communication and avoiding misleading information that may negatively influence public perceptions of conservation. Media professionals need access to reliable sources and clear procedures for verifying information. They also require guidance on obtaining filming permits, including authorisations for drone use, and on handling sensitive information, such as the locations of dens or other vulnerable wildlife sites. Responsible reporting is essential to avoid disturbing animals and to support accurate public understanding of coexistence issues.

Best practice

Community Response to Large Carnivore Presence

Large carnivore populations have recovered across Europe over recent decades, bringing species back into landscapes where they were once absent. This recovery presents communities with both opportunities and challenges;

How to Recognise Misinformation About Large Carnivores

Misinformation, ranging from exaggerated claims about attack statistics to fabricated stories of predator behaviour, spreads rapidly through social media, news outlets, and word of mouth, shaping public perception and influencing policy decisions. Distinguishing fact from fiction is essential for communities living alongside these species, as false beliefs can lead to unnecessary fear, hostile attitudes toward wildlife, and support for harmful management decisions.

Road Accidents and Carnivore Sightings

Road networks crossing through forested and rural landscapes create unavoidable intersections between human transportation infrastructure and large carnivore habitats. As European carnivore populations recover and expand into former ranges, vehicle-wildlife collisions have become increasingly frequent, posing serious risks to human safety, animal welfare, and conservation efforts.

Keeping Pets Safe in Large Carnivore Areas

Domestic pets represent both vulnerable prey and potential triggers for defensive responses from large carnivores living near residential and rural properties. Dogs, cats, and small livestock frequently encounter bears, wolves, lynx, and golden jackals when left unsupervised outdoors, creating dangerous situations that threaten animal welfare, household peace, and community safety.

Wildlife-Safe Waste Management

Improper waste management is one of the leading causes of human-wildlife conflict in residential and rural areas. When food waste, garbage, and organic materials are accessible to wildlife, animals quickly learn to associate human settlements with reliable food sources.

What to Do When You Encounter a Large Carnivore

Encountering a large carnivore in your local area can be surprising but is rarely dangerous if you know how to respond. Most large carnivores naturally avoid humans and will retreat if they detect your presence. This guide provides clear instructions for local residents, families, and pet owners on how to react during encounters with bears, wolves, lynx, and golden jackals.

Turning a Controversial Event Into Balanced Reporting

Large carnivore incidents can quickly become controversial. Such events may generate strong emotions and conflicting accounts. Media reporting can either increase polarization or help the public understand the situation.

Finding Reliable Sources and Experts

Accurate reporting on large carnivores often requires information from several different sources. Wildlife authorities, researchers, local residents or livestock owners can describe their direct experiences. No single source necessarily provides the complete picture.

Filming, Photography and Drone Use

Photographs and videos can greatly improve public understanding of large carnivores and their conservation. However, approaching animals for better footage, repeatedly following them, using artificial lighting, or operating drones nearby can disturb wildlife and may increase the risk of a negative encounter.

Publishing Sensitive Wildlife Information Responsibly

Information about large carnivores can sometimes be sensitive. Publishing precise information without considering the possible consequences can disturb animals, increase human-wildlife interactions, or expose animals to additional risks.

Media

Description

Best practice

Stories of coexistence