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Wolf education for coexistence
The wolf has returned to the Netherlands, sparking both debate and fascination. Often featured in the news, how much do we truly know about this remarkable predator? Join ranger and wolf specialist Marc Wilbers on an excursion to explore how education can unlock understanding and foster coexistence between humans and wolves.
The excursion takes place in the Veluwe, a region where wolves leave their traces. Marc Wilbers will guide you on an informative journey through the landscape, revealing how tracks from wolves and other animals like deer, wild boar, foxes, and ravens tell stories about their behavior. If lucky, you might even catch a rare glimpse of a wolf in the wild.
The excursion answers key questions such as:
• How do wolves live and communicate?
• What do they eat, and how large is their territory?
• How can wolf tracks be identified?
• What should you do if you encounter a wolf?
• What is the ecological role of wolves, and how do they impact the landscape and biodiversity?
• How can humans and wolves coexist peacefully, and what does this mean for livestock farmers?
A key feature of the excursion is a visit to a shepherd, who shares firsthand experiences of keeping sheep in a region with wolves. These stories provide valuable insights into how preventive measures and a deep understanding of wolf behavior can minimize damage.
Lessons learned
Educators, conservationists, policymakers, and others can learn much from this approach to highlighting the presence of wolves in the Netherlands. Key lessons include:
1. Education as a Foundation for Understanding
Knowledge dispels fear and misconceptions. By making information about wolf behavior, ecological roles, and human interaction accessible, people can be better informed and engaged.
2. Storytelling Enhances Insight
Field excursions use tracks and stories to make complex concepts like biodiversity and ecological balance tangible and relatable, sparking curiosity and connection.
3. Empathy Through Shared Experiences
Hearing firsthand accounts from stakeholders, such as shepherds, fosters empathy and mutual understanding, showing how different communities face shared challenges.
4. Encouraging Active Participation
Interactive education engages participants to ask questions, think critically, and contribute to solutions, strengthening their involvement and commitment.
5. Conflict Resolution Through Dialogue
Openly addressing concerns (e.g., livestock safety) alongside opportunities (e.g., ecological benefits) fosters balanced discussions and collaboration.
6. Long-Term Vision Through Education
By educating both youth and adults, sustainable coexistence is built on long-term awareness and behavior change.
Scaling Up and Broadening the Approach
This model of wolf education deserves scaling and adaptation to other regions with wolves or similar species, maintaining its core principles of education, dialogue, and practical insights. Scaling requires trained guides, well-developed educational materials, and collaboration with local stakeholders.
The concept can also broaden to address topics like grazing, rewilding, regenerative agriculture, climate change, or the reintroduction of other species. Tailoring content to each context, alongside greater support from governments, conservation organizations, and communities, will ensure broader impact. Investments in infrastructure, communication campaigns, and long-term programs are critical to achieving this.
Featured image: Arjan Otte
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