In order to improve the preservation of large carnivores in the Alps and the Carpathians, the international colloquium "Large carnivores: management, research and public relation strategies of the protected areas" was organised in the Nizke Tatry National Park in Slovakia from 2nd - 4th July 2009.

More than 70 specialists of protected areas, universities, NGOs and ministries in the Alps and the Carpathians met in Liptovsky Jan / Slovakia to broach the complex and often taboo issue of the symbolic species of the mountains: the bear, the wolf and the lynx. 

 The general presentations of the current situation in both massifs were followed by other lectures, in which participants communicated the results of their research activities, particularly in the field of species’ monitoring, migration and health problems. The main part of the meeting was dedicated to exchanges on the subject of the management of these species, especially in regard to management plans, measures of compensation and conflict management between human activities and these animals. The last session of presentations principally treated the importance of communication activities, environmental education and public relations.

The significance of a very close cooperation between both massifs in this subject was raised during the discussions. To emphasize this cooperation it has been decided to create a common working group "Large carnivores" between ALPARC and CNPA. This group ought to meet soon, after the nomination of a working group leader on the part of the Carpathians.

At the end of this meeting, a brochure about large carnivores in protected areas of the Alps and the Carpathians was published.