Fauna & Flora is working alongside local communities, conservationists, and policymakers to secure and restore this essential corridor, ensuring that both wildlife and people can thrive in harmony.
The Challenge
The Zarand Wildlife Corridor is a critical ecological link between the Western Carpathians and the Southern Carpathians, ensuring the free movement of bears, wolves, and lynx across the landscape. Without intervention, habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict threaten the survival of these species and the ecological balance of the region.
The natural connections for wildlife between Romania’s mountain ranges are disappearing due to deforestation, infrastructure expansion that does not consider environmental measures, and inappropriate land use, such as agriculture intensification and abandonment. Without passage, large carnivores struggle to find food, mates, and consistent and safe territories, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict and isolated populations at risk of decline.
Human activities, including the construction of roads and railways that do not consider environmental impact, further restrict the movement of wildlife. If these pressures continue, Romania’s large carnivore populations will face dwindling genetic diversity and an uncertain future.
Our Approach
Fauna & Flora and its partners are taking action to:
- Restore ecological connectivity by identifying and protecting key movement micro-corridors for large carnivores
- Enhance habitat quality through reforestation, removal of invasive species, and sustainable land management
- Monitor carnivore populations using GPS tracking, camera traps, and field surveys to guide conservation efforts
- Support community-led conservation by working with landowners and farmers to develop wildlife-friendly practices and mitigate conflict
- Advocate for policy change to ensure large-scale infrastructure projects consider ecological corridors and wildlife movement needs
Three legged bear who lost a leg to snaring, Romania. © Daniel Mîrlea
Three legged bear who lost a leg to snaring, Romania.
Our Impact
- Key wildlife corridors have been identified and prioritised for protection and restoration
- Scientific monitoring programs have provided valuable data on large carnivore movements and habitat use
- Engagement with local communities has fostered greater awareness and support for conservation efforts
- Advocacy for sustainable land-use planning has helped integrate wildlife connectivity into regional development policies
What’s Next?
- Strengthening land protection measures to secure priority corridors
- Expanding habitat restoration efforts to improve connectivity
- Scaling up human-wildlife conflict mitigation initiatives
- Working with policymakers to embed ecological connectivity into national conservation strategies
Mircea Mărginean (Fauna & Flora) with a Carpathian shepherd dog puppy. © Daniel Mîrlea / Fauna & Flora
Mircea Mărginean (Fauna & Flora) with a Carpathian shepherd dog puppy. Fauna & Flora is working directly with farmers to reduce conflict with grey wolves. By providing Carpathian sheepdog puppies, we are helping them to reduce the number of incidences of livestock predation.
Partners & Supporters
The Zarand Wildlife Corridor project is made possible through collaboration with the Zarand Association, research institutions, and government agencies to protect the Zarand region’s diverse and distinctive landscape. We are grateful for financial support from the European Commission’s LIFE Programme, Marcela Trust, Fondation Segré and Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
Be part of the solution
Your support can help us expand habitat connectivity, safeguard carnivore populations, and ensure that people and wildlife can coexist. Donate now to be part of this vital conservation effort.
Donate todayWolf portrait. © Uryadnikov Sergey / Adobe Stock