About the project

General information:

Leading institution: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture

Trajanje projekta: 01.10.2025.-30.09.2028.
Funding source: National Recovery and Resilience Plan, RRF Recovery and Resilience Mechanism ( NextGenerationEU )

Project description:

Various anthropogenic factors lead to changes in the demography, distribution, behaviour and physiology of wild animals, which consequently affect the frequency and intensity of their interactions with humans. Hunting, especially when carried out as large-scale driven hunts with hunting dogs, can cause different reactions in wild ungulates. These reactions are reflected in spatial behaviour, space use, activity rhythm, feeding habits and cause physiological reactions due to increased stress, which in turn affects animal welfare. However, knowledge about the effect of different hunting methods (driven hunting vs. individual hunting) on the behavioural and physiological reactions of ungulates is very limited. This is particularly challenging because these species have a high potential for transmitting diseases of public and economic importance, which is why there is an urgent need to understand the (spatial) behaviour of wild ungulates during different hunting methods and methods of their settlement. The project is carried out in three work packages: WP1 – Study design and estimation of population density; WP2 – Spatial behavior and GPS-GSM telemetry; WP3 – Impact of hunting and ungulate adaptation on stress hormone levels. The project results will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of hunting and settlement on the spatial behaviour, distribution potential and movement ecology of wild ungulates. Importantly, the project is embedded in existing pan-European networks and in line with environmental objectives.

Project goals:

The main objectives of the project are:
  1. Compare the activity and frequency of movement of wild ungulates within areas of predictable anthropogenic activity (quarries), areas of unpredictable anthropogenic activity (forestry work areas) and areas with minimal anthropogenic activity
  2. Compare the activity, frequency and movement ranges of wild ungulates during the driven hunting season (November – January) and the rest of the year
  3.  Compare the frequency and distance of movement of wild ungulates in relation to feeding sites
  4. Compare population density and interspecific interactions of wild ungulates using camera traps
  5.  Determine the levels of cortisol metabolites, i.e. levels of typical stress hormones, in a wild ungulate population
Additional project objectives are:
  1. Equitable dissemination of information, enabling access to a large database and allowing information exchange at a pan-European level, with the aim of improving the quality and quantity of data on wild ungulates across Europe to support species management and conservation
  2. Dissemination of results at scientific and professional conferences and popularization of science
  3. Publication of scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals

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