To understand the current status and trends of large carnivore populations.
Bear, lynx and wolf site and track observations are reported by hunters to the Estonian Environment Agency, which analyses the data to separate them into different reproductive units.
Hunters also contribute by surveying transects to count wolf and lynx tracks in the snow. Finally, biological samples are provided to researchers from each bear, lynx or wolf shot.
Country: Estonia
Starting date: 2013
Species: Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos), Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx), Grey Wolf (Canis Lupus)
Species characteristics: Huntable species, Protected species, Threatened species
Type of actions: Research and data collection
Leading partners: volunteer hunters;Estonian Environment Agency (http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2015/countries/estonia)
