Farmers in Portugal

The workshop aims: to identify best practices to prevent damage, protect and increase production in "Wolf countries". Once in Portugal, Italians farmers had the opportunity to exchange views and experiences with Iberian colleagues, visit different farms, getting in touch with a situation that, like in most of Italy, is experiencing the spontaneous return of the wolf. The visited farms, like the Italian ones, are equipped with the measures against predators designed by Medwolf. They have declared themselves satisfied of the results achieved so far, without hiding that, in some cases, the economic and professional commitment that the adoption of these facilities entails can be challenging. On these issues, the farmers were able to meet and to broaden their experience through the exchanges with their colleagues, some of whom have explained how they have been able to "integrate" the wolf in their activities, making it not only a problem to be solve, rather a new economic opportunities and a cue for tourist attraction. "A unique opportunity," says Valeria Salvatori - coordinator of Medwolf - referring to the trip to Portugal "both at the professional level and social level. The interest in the different professional approaches in different countries was easily combined with a friendly atmosphere, which we hope will strengthen collaboration over time. " An experience that Italian farmers have been able to make the best use, explains Dr Salvatori, proving being extremely interested and participative. "The attitude demonstrated," she continues, "made us thinking that a greater involvement of farms in the project, not only as recipients of anti-predators structures and advices, but as active collaborators, can be decisive for the success and the effectiveness of the project”.

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