Ensuring long term sustainability of the actions, minimise human-wildlife conflict and maximise opportunities for local people through the establishment of Bison-Smart communities and nature-based economies.
Task 4.1 Establish Bison-Smart Communities to enable successful coexistence
The aim of this task is to achieve successful coexistence between bison and people through the development of bison-smart communities. This includes setting up guidelines and effective dialogue with key stakeholders.
Deliverable:
- Bison smart community guidelines.
Task 4.2 Avoid and minimise bison damage to property
During this tasks, the field team will be implementing the coexistence plans that have been developed in cooperation with stakeholders. This includes managing and monitoring risk-prone locations through a geo-spatial database, a hotline for bison sightings, fencing, providing alternative food sources for bison, mobilising volunteer intervention teams, herding dogs, providing guidance for locals and other innovative techniques.
Deliverable:
- Bison smart community agreements signed in Armenis, Teregova and Cornereva.
Task 4.3 Maintain and enhance favourable habitat for the bison
Bison smart communities also aim to minimise disturbances to the bison, to enable the population to grow and expand its home range. This task includes engaging with forest management units and hunting units, as well as with landowners and farmers to work together on hunting and forest management plans that improve habitat
quality for the bison as well as opportunities for said stakeholders. This is vital to improve local conditions for bison, providing access to water, creating safe corridors and ensuring protection during calving periods.
Deliverable:
- Memorandum of understanding or more formal agreements signed with forest management units Teregova and Mehadia and hunting areas managers overlapping with the project area.
Task 4.4 Analyse and minimise potential bison-vehicle accidents on the European road E70
The aim of this task is to assess and minimize the risk of potential animal (bison)-vehicle collisions along a 30 km section of the European road E70 between Slatina-Timiș and Cornea. This section of the road crosses an area that has been identified as an ecological corridor. Identifying hotspots and crossing points and increasing public awareness through placement of warning signs, virtual fence technology and educational campaigns aim to provide safety for both wildlife and people.
Deliverable:
- Monitoring Report on AVC hotspots