Josip Kusak

The purpose of the research is to understand the lifestyle of wolves in the newly created circumstances of jackal presence and free-ranging livestock in the Dalmatian Karst. The intended scientific contribution is to clarify the spatial ecology of wolves in the context of coexistence with jackals and domestic animals. The goals are: 1) to determine the sizes of home ranges and territories of wolves and jackals; 2) to determine the number of wolves and jackals in packs; 3) to assess the occurrence of reproduction in monitored packs of wolves and jackals; 4) to identify patterns of habitat use by wolves and jackals; and 5) to determine patterns of activity of wolves and jackals and their interrelationships.

The main objective of the research is to determine whether native propolis added to the daily ration of lambs and sheep in different production phases within dairy sheep breeding systems has a protective effect on health and a positive effect on the productivity and quality of milk and meat, as well as to disseminate the results obtained

The mutual influences of wolves, jackals, and livestock in areas that serve as both wildlife habitats and pastures – such as forests and scrub (maquis)—will be investigated from ecological, economic, and sociological perspectives. The results will have both scientific and practical value, as they will provide a scientific explanation of the circumstances that condition and favor damage to domestic animals by wild and domestic animals (wolves, jackals, and dogs). The practical value will be the application of this scientific knowledge to improve the damage compensation system through digital transformation, along with recommendations for livestock farming suited to local conditions. An analysis of previous carnivore attacks on livestock will provide data on the circumstances of these events and insight into the adequacy or inadequacy of the current damage compensation system. The occurrence of carnivores and livestock, as well as livestock guarding and exposure to carnivore attacks, will be monitored with automatic cameras and drones. The data collected will be modeled using survey methods to understand the spatio-temporal context and correlations between species and habitat conditions that increase the likelihood of predation. Using mixed methods, the project will explore the values, attitudes, perceptions, and motivations of pastoralists regarding coexistence with carnivores, and how people’s conceptualizations of these species influence their interrelationships.Write here the description...

The aim of the project is to gather new scientific knowledge in the fields of bacteriology, virology and toxicology of lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus) populations from Croatia. The research will be conducted on archived samples collected over the past three decades during the implementation of various projects, under the leadership of Prof. Josip Kusak, Prof. Tomislav Gomerčić and Assoc. Prof. Magda Sindičić.

The leader of the LIFE project in Croatia, as one of eight countries in which the project is being implemented. The project aims at contributing to the long term conservation of wolves in Europe, where they are increasingly present in human dominated areas.

Anthropogenic hybridization (AH) threatens global biodiversity conservation. Especially when involving domesticated animals, artificially selected for genetically determined morphological, physiological, and behavioural traits, AH might have deleterious effects for the genomic integrity and viability of wild populations. WOLFNESS aims to enhance the wolf (Canis lupus) conservation status in light of its on-going recolonization of human-dominated landscapes, where wolf-dog hybridization (WDH) risk might be high. Due to lack of knowledge and methodological standardization, social awareness, technical difficulties, and unclear provisions by the main legal instruments on nature conservation, WDH has not been systematically investigated and its management has hardly made any progress.

Principal investigator at the project "Conservation of large carnivores and their landscape in north-eastern Turkey". Project leader is prof. dr. sc. Çağan Hakkı Şekercioğlu, University of Utah, Department of Biology.

The coordinator of the EU funded project for the development of monitoring system for wolves and lynxes in Croatia and principal expert for the development of monitoring program of wolves in Croatia.

Leader of the research that includes monitoring the movement, activities, habitat use, number and density of wolves in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the development of wolf monitoring programs in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Leader of the research that includes monitoring the movement, activity, habitat use, abundance and density of lynx in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the development of lynx monitoring programs in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Collaborator on a project to establish bear management at the population level in the Dinarides and the Alps, working primary on databases and GIS.

Leader of the preparation of expert studies on the ways of displaying large carnivores in the Visitor Center - Krasno (NP Northern Velebit).

Leader of the research that includes monitoring the movement, activity, habitat use, number and density of wolves in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Leader of the research that includes monitoring the movement, activity, habitat use, abundance and density of lynx in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Associate in the implementation of monitoring the crossing of animals over the crossing for animals on the highway Rijeka-Zagreb, with the analysis of the place of death of animals from traffic.

Collaborator on a project to research sustainable lifestyles in rural areas of the Western Balkans. Project financed from Norway (Forskerprosjekt – NORGLOBAL. Norsk institute for naturforskning).

External expert contracted for the implementation of the field and theoretical part of the LIFE project for the establishment of the wolf population management system in Slovenia (Conservation and surveillance of the conservation status of the wolf (Canis lupus) population in Slovenia).

Leader of the research that includes monitoring the movement, activity, habitat use, number and density of wolves in the area of the Northern Velebit National Park, and the development of monitoring programs for large carnivores in the Northern Velebit National Park.

Collaborator on the EU project from the FP7 program (Grant agreement no .: 212160). Exploring the possibility of using hunting as a way of sustainable management of bear populations.

Collaborator on an international project to establish a strategy for the conservation of the habitat of large carnivores in Europe.

Visiting Professor at the Institute for Mammal Research in Bialowieza (Polish Academy of Sciences), within the European Commission's mobility program (The contract No. MTKD-CT-2005-029957. FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific program for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Program).

Head of the field part of the EU project for the establishment of a cross-border (Croatia-Slovenia) system for monitoring and managing the lynx population in Croatia and Slovenia.

Collaborator on the project / contract between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the State Institute for Nature Protection (ed. No. 2517 / 08-1). Development of a program to monitor the state of the bear, wolf and lynx population in Natura 2000 areas in Croatia.

Local expert for large carniovres in the preparation of NATURA 2000 areas in Croatia (Project Number: 300186. Client Project Number: 2005-0505-090101; EuropeAid/123526/D/SER/HR).

Associate in the implementation of the agreement between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regional Development and Water Management for genetic counting of bears in Croatia.

Collaborator on a project to research the biology and ecology of bears, wolves and lynxes, and the impact of man on these large carnivores. Project numbers 053026 and 0053303 1996 to 2007

Collaborator on the EU project of establishing a national wolf population management system in Croatia. Head of the field part of the project, telemetric GPS tracking of wolves in Croatia.

Collaborator on research on the state of the brown bear and Asiatic black bear populations in Iran. Project supported by the International Bear Association (John Sheldon Bevins Memorial Foundation).

Incentive project manager of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Croatia. The project explores the relationship between large carnivores and livestock in Dalmatia. Project number 053202.

A collaborator on the project, involved in the exchange of experiences, learning about wolf research in Minnesota, started researching the spatial ecology of wolves in Croatia.

Associate and field leader of the project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Croatia, number 1-08-078.

Invited lecture at "SUMMER SCHOOL IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT organized by the University of Zagreb, Veterinary Faculty 02.-15. July 2012.

Invited lecture at UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, Salt Lake City. Utah.

Invited lecture at CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS, for university students.

Invited lecture at CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS, for university students.

Invited lecture for students and teachers VETERINARY FACULTY, UNIVERSITY OF KARS, Turkey.

Invited lecture for doctoral students and summer school students "SUMMER SCHOOL IN ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY Understanding Patterns and Processes, 24-29 May 2010, Białowieża, Poland - MAMMAL RESEARCH INSTIUTE, BIALOWIEZA, POLAND.

Invited lecture at "MAMMAL RESEARCH INSTIUTE, BIALOWIEZA, POLAND". Lecture for institute staff and their students.

Invited lecture and implementation of practical classes on "SUMMER SCHOOL IN ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY Understanding Patterns and Processes, 24-29 May 2010, Białowieża, Poland - organized by the Mammal Research Institute PAS in the framework of the Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses project BIOSED"

Invited lecture at "MAMMAL RESEARCH INSTIUTE, BIALOWIEZA, POLAND". Lecture for institute staff and their students.

Invited lecture at "MAMMAL RESEARCH INSTIUTE, BIALOWIEZA, POLAND". Lecture for institute staff and their students.

Invited participant at the plenary panel session of the International Conference on Wolf Ecology & Management "Wolves Across Borders

Traditionally the conflicts surrounding wolves have focused on their depredation on livestock and pets and the level of competition with hunters. However, in recent years there has been an increasing level of concern about wolves that appear to be “bold” or that do not display the expected level of shyness when in the vicinity of human habitation or in direct encounters with people. Many members of the public are understandably concerned that this behaviour may be an indication of increased risk to the safety of humans or their pets. There are many questions surrounding the definition of this behaviour, its causes and origins, its consequences for safety, and how it should be managed. Some of these questions are ecological or ethological in nature, many are social or cultural, and others are both. This panel debate will explore these four aspects of the phenomena through discussions with four European experts with many years of experience from across the continent as well as through taking questions from the audience. By the end of the session the audience should have a much better understanding of the issue, as well as an update on what we know, and what we still don’t know, about the topic.

Invited expert to give a workshop on live capturing wolves.

This workshop provided an overview of the entire process, beginning with the justification for the decision to live trap wolves. It covered preparation for wolf trapping, including equipment and pre-trapping field surveys. The selection of leghold traps was explained, and their operation was demonstrated. The veterinarian, who must be present at the capture, is responsible for veterinary protocols. An example of the field study that precedes the decision on where and when to set the traps was presented. The process of setting the trap was demonstrated first on screen and then in the field, with each step explained, followed by the activation of the trap, bait placement, and maintenance during the trapping campaign. Safety procedures were discussed and demonstrated in detail, including the selection of trap type and size, differences in the design of various leghold traps, choice of trap location, and methods for setting, baiting, and continuously monitoring the traps. One of the most important factors affecting the safety and welfare of trapped animals is response time. Methods to reduce response time and other safety factors were thoroughly explained and discussed with the workshop participants.

Invited presentation at INTERNATIONAL JACKAL WORKSHOP IN LAKE KERKINI NATIONAL PARK.

held in the Kerkini Lake National Park, in northern Greece, on the topic: "Golden Jackal (Canis aureus): interaction with human activities and other wild and domesticated canids".

The International Workshop is implemented under the auspices of the "IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group".

More than 30 experts from 20 countries

(Europe, India, Turkey, Sri Lanka) participated in the meeting.

Invited plenary presentation at the "Conference on Wolf Ecology and Management" - Wolves Across Borders", May

8-11, 2023 | Stockholm, Sweden

Invited lecture at "Workshop Herdenschutz 2.0 01.10.2016., NABU Gut Sunder, Germany"

Invited lecture at "International Wolf conference, Wolfsburg, Germany 24.-26.09.2015."

Invited lecture on "Workshop on bear-human coexistence. Klagenfurt, 30.10.2008."

Invited lecture on "Workshop on Large carnivore impact on ungulates in a productivity gradient of European ecosystems 2-5 December 2004, Białowieża, Poland.

Invited lecture at the Eleventh International Conference on Bear research and Management / Mosbach, Jutta, editor (s). Vienna: International Bear Association.

Commission Member - IUCN

The Association of European Large Carnivore Researchers and the EU's expert advisory body on the conservation and management of large carnivore populations in Europe.

Member of the World Association for Research and Management of Bear Populations.

The Wolf and Lynx Intervention Team is an expert body appointed by the competent ministry, composed of members who know the biology of wolves and lynxes, and have practical experience in handling wolves and lynxes. The intervention team works in cases where wolf or lynx individuals are in trouble or causing a problem to humans.

The bear intervention team is an expert body appointed by the competent ministry, composed of members who know the biology of bears and have practical experience in handling bears. The intervention team works in cases where bear individuals are in trouble or causing a problem to humans.

Expert advisory body of the ministry responsible for the management of populations of protected large carnivores.