The Dinarides is a unique forest transboundary area in Central Europe where 20 lynx, 50 wolves and 600 bears are migrating in the same area. Preserving their long-term presence is important for biodiversity and the ecosystem of this region. The Carnivora Dinarica project tackles cross-border cooperation and ecosystem services for the long-term conservation of large carnivore populations in the northern Dinarides region. The project aims to improve the conservation status of large carnivores – wolf, bear and lynx – in Natura 2000 areas Javorniki-Snežnik and Notranjski trikotnik in Slovenia, Gorski kotar and northern Lika in Croatia.

Project partners are focusing on three main common challenges – addressing gaps in the cross-border management of large carnivores, reducing the risks that threaten large carnivores (particularly the growing pressure of humans) and raising awareness of the role large carnivores play in the ecosystem.

We improve the transboundary management of large carnivores through:
 

• Establishment of inter-institutional cooperation
• Harmonization of conservation and management measures for wolf and lynx populations 
• Joint analysis of corridors for large carnivores
• Joint evaluation of large carnivores ecosystem services.
   

We improve the relationship between people and large carnivores with prevention measures and broad education:
 

• Family farms as examples of good practice
• Electric fences to prevent damage
• Sheep dogs
• Clear road signs
• Rescue center for abandoned lynx cubs
• Bear-proof garbage containers
• Measures for the management of visitors
• Establishment of a large carnivores visitor centre in Pivka
• Education of local stakeholders and school children with workshops and activities in schools.

Carnivora Dinarica's lead partner is the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty; two more Slovenian partners are participating in the project – the Slovenian Forest Service and the Municipality of Pivka.
There are five Croatian project partners: National Park Risnjak Public Institution, the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, WWF Adria – Association for the protection of nature and conservation of biodiversity, City of Vrbovsko and Primorsko-Goranska County. 

Associated partners in the project are Priroda Public Institution, the former Croatian Agency for Environment and Nature, now integrated within the Croatian Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and Zavod Republike Slovenije za varstvo narave. 

Project is co-financed by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.