Wolves generally avoid humans and usually respond to human encounters by fleeing and retreating to cover. Therefore, wolf tourism activities often require knowledge about the movements of wild animals and an ability to track them by searching the habitat for fresh signs of presence. However, this must be balanced with consideration of potential negative impacts. For example, following recent wolf tracks can lead to – and disturb – wolves on a fresh kill, resting site, denning or pup-rearing site. Moreover, activities that encourage walking off trails may disturb other wildlife, cause conflicts with local people and breach regulations or disrupt wildlife monitoring and other activities. Approaching freshly caught prey may discourage wolves or other species from returning to feed.
The pup-rearing period between April and September (15.4. and 15.9.) is particularly sensitive. The presence of humans near dens at this time can lead to disturbance, so it is important tourist activities are limited to forest roads, tourist trails and other established paths.
Specific guidelines regarding tourist activities that include looking for wolf tracks:
- Tracking wolves off trails should only be done by backtracking, i.e. following prints back towards where they came from.
- During pup rearing season, all wolf tracking activities should be limited to forest roads, tourist trails and other established paths.
- If a fresh kill is found, it should not be approached or touched as this may deter animals from returning to feed.
- Due to possible health risks, scats and other samples should not be collected by tourists unless accompanied by qualified personnel or a trained guide.
- It is not recommended to bring dogs to activities aimed at observing or tracking wolves. If tourists are accompanied by their dogs, they should keep them on a leash at all times. When visiting pastures with working livestock guarding dogs, dogs should be left at home.
What to include:
- Informational briefing at the beginning to share scientific information about wolf biology, explain threats to wolves and improve understanding of human–wolf conflicts and challenges of coexistence.
- Explanation on how to identify and interpret animal tracks of different animals living in areas with wolves.
- Sensory experiences such as listening for sounds of wildlife at night, including spontaneous wolf howls. From 15th April.
- Viewing images (photos, videos) of wolves and other wildlife obtained by camera-trapping in the region.
- Visits to pastures/farms where damage prevention methods have been applied.
- Helping farmers install electric fences to protect livestock against wolf attacks.
- Direct dialogue between visitors and local residents, large carnivore experts, foresters, hunters and other people affected by the presence of wolves.
- Promotion of local accommodation, other services, souvenirs and food products (e.g. large carnivores friendly products, food from farms, cheese from shepherds’ huts, handicraft products) to increase benefits for the local community.
Full document on non-consumptive use of wolves in tourism available here.
A good practice example of a wolf tourism programme: Wolf tracking in winter
