Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
from the liver, kidney and the entire ligated stomach. The baits were also collected. The tissue samples
and baits were sent to the police forensic laboratory. A small amount of bluish liquid was found in the
bear's stomach. Carbofuran was detected in the stomach contents, and in the bait, (by GC/MS) and in
the kidney and liver (by LC/MS). The mean measured concentration in these latter tissues was 2.695
and 12.650 ppm, respectively. On the basis of these concentrations in liver and kidney, the short dis-
tance between the bait and the bear carcass, Reljic, Srebocan, Huber et al. (2010) surmised that the ani-
mal had succumbed to carbofuran poisoning. This represents the fi rst record of a bear poisoning case
involving carbofuran bait in Croatia, although it is likely that the bait was not intended for the bear.
5.7.4 Threats to biodiversity, livelihoods and tourism on the Croatian islands
The main driver behind illegal poisoning in Croatia is that local people wish to 'get rid of' alien
or predator species, i.e., species such as Eurasian brown bear (
Ursus arctos arctos
), wild boar (
Sus
scrofa
), golden jackal (
Canis aureus
), wolf, fox, and fallow deer (
Dama dama
). Human-wildlife con-
fl ict ensues with alien game species (mostly on the islands) and with predators on the mainland (mainly
wolf, which is a protected species). Wolves were never introduced onto the islands, but the jackal was.
The islands of Croatia are well known for their rich biodiversity, and many endemic and relic spe-
cies are represented there. Unfortunately, the hunting fraternity in Croatia see the presence of such
species as an opportunity to make money from hunting tourism. On the islands, there are no native
game species which would be attractive to hunters. Hence, hunters introduced animals which they
considered appropriate, i.e., wild boar, fallow deer and brown bear, without regard for how these spe-
cies may infl uence the balance within these well established ecosystems. Although poorly managed
introductions of this type are considered unsound by many, Croatian hunters (and politicians) insist
that introduced game are good for both the gene pool and for biodiversity and want to maintain exist-
ing populations. However, such species can cause damage to local assets and may affect the balance
within the ecosystem. Likewise, human retaliation against such species can have wider implications.
These species may prey on sheep, on native animals and plants, and may cause native species declines
on the island ecosystems (where natural range and population size are limited, or species have already
declined for other reasons). This type of confl ict is a key factor on the Kvarner Islands in the northern
Adriatic Sea. Here, the long-term survival of endangered griffon vultures is under threat as, for exam-
ple, competition for food resources increases/continues, especially for dead sheep. Indirect impacts
are also important, i.e., sheep herders put poisoned bait out to kill game animals introduced by hunters,
which are then eaten by vultures and other animals (which the bait was not intended for).
In Croatia, hunting can take place in all areas except in towns and in highly protected zones.
Animals are even hunted on private land, against the will of the owner. The hunting lobby is power-
ful, and often ignores laws and regulations regardless of their potential impact on ecosystems, other
wildlife, domestic livestock, or the potential for damage to crops and forests. The area of Croatia that
is probably most affected by the control/eradication of alien species is in the Primorsko-Goranska
County. The County contains the Islands of Cres, Krk and Rab (Croatia's biggest islands). Many
people here keep sheep in a traditional way (i.e., grazing extensively) because in the past, there were
no predators on the islands. Attacks by game species on sheep occur on these islands and this is a
relatively new problem, whereas on the mainland, they have been dealing with this problem since
ancient times. Nowadays, hunters suggest that sheep grazed on the islands should be guarded and
kept in stalls. If they are, herders could then perhaps claim compensation for any sheep killed by an
introduced species. Farmers in turn claim that wild boar and bear kill lambs, and that they report this
regularly, but action is not taken. Bears have also killed sheep on the Island of Krk, and they cause
fear among residents and tourists (which is why people do not want this species on the island). All
attempts to catch them alive, using baited cages, have so far failed. Hunting dogs also enter pasture
areas, and chase, disturb, worry or even kill sheep.
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