215
developed where automatic cameras are used instead (Odden 2015). Whole family
groups can be captured by the cameras and, due to individual color patterns, individuals can be identified on photographs. In this way, the number of family groups
and total population size can be inferred from photographs.
Aerial Surveys
When conditions are right in northern Sweden (sunny, calm weather and lots of
snow on the ground), helicopters are sometimes used to search for tracks of lynx
and wolverines. The results from these aerial surveys are then used as a starting
point for a more thorough, ground-based work. Helicopters are also used as an
effective means of transportation, when remote den sites of wolverines have to be
visited after the snowmelt and when the animals have left. These visits have to be
made when it is unclear at the end of the survey season if reproduction has occurred
at a site.
In remote areas in northern Sweden where golden eagles are abundant but roads
are scarce, helicopters can be used as an effective means to survey known eagle territories. However, new territories and nests cannot effectively be searched for from
helicopters, which is why airborne surveys have to be augmented by ground-based
activities. In Finland, the use of helicopters is the main method for surveying golden
eagles and in 2016 almost 500 territories were visited in this way (Ollila 2016).
There have been ideas of using drones in the surveillance of both golden eagles
and wolverines. However, the current legislation surrounding the usage of drones,
and filming and photographing from the air, is very restrictive in Sweden.
Furthermore, territorial golden eagles can show aggressive behavior towards
approaching flying objects, which may result in collisions (Ahlgren 2015).
Therefore, currently drones are not used when surveying large carnivores in Sweden.
Reports from Moose Hunters
Every autumn, thousands of hunters spend days and weeks in the Swedish forests to
participate in moose hunting. Around 100,000 moose are killed in Sweden during
the hunting season each year. For many people, moose hunting is an important recreational activity, and a means of acquiring most of the meat for their domestic
cooking during the year to come. Most of the hunters are organized in hunting parties, i.e. groups of people hunting together in an area which they own or lease
(Schneider 2012).
Hunting parties are asked to keep track of bear sightings during moose hunting
and to report their results to the Swedish Hunters’ Association (Kindberg et al.
2009). There, the results are compiled for the whole country and an annual index of
bear sightings per observation effort is published for every bear county. The ‘sightability’ of bears is different in different areas and at different times. Therefore, this
A Toolbox for Remotely Monitoring Large Carnivores in Sweden
developed where automatic cameras are used instead (Odden 2015). Whole family
groups can be captured by the cameras and, due to individual color patterns, individuals can be identified on photographs. In this way, the number of family groups
and total population size can be inferred from photographs.
Aerial Surveys
When conditions are right in northern Sweden (sunny, calm weather and lots of
snow on the ground), helicopters are sometimes used to search for tracks of lynx
and wolverines. The results from these aerial surveys are then used as a starting
point for a more thorough, ground-based work. Helicopters are also used as an
effective means of transportation, when remote den sites of wolverines have to be
visited after the snowmelt and when the animals have left. These visits have to be
made when it is unclear at the end of the survey season if reproduction has occurred
at a site.
In remote areas in northern Sweden where golden eagles are abundant but roads
are scarce, helicopters can be used as an effective means to survey known eagle territories. However, new territories and nests cannot effectively be searched for from
helicopters, which is why airborne surveys have to be augmented by ground-based
activities. In Finland, the use of helicopters is the main method for surveying golden
eagles and in 2016 almost 500 territories were visited in this way (Ollila 2016).
There have been ideas of using drones in the surveillance of both golden eagles
and wolverines. However, the current legislation surrounding the usage of drones,
and filming and photographing from the air, is very restrictive in Sweden.
Furthermore, territorial golden eagles can show aggressive behavior towards
approaching flying objects, which may result in collisions (Ahlgren 2015).
Therefore, currently drones are not used when surveying large carnivores in Sweden.
Reports from Moose Hunters
Every autumn, thousands of hunters spend days and weeks in the Swedish forests to
participate in moose hunting. Around 100,000 moose are killed in Sweden during
the hunting season each year. For many people, moose hunting is an important recreational activity, and a means of acquiring most of the meat for their domestic
cooking during the year to come. Most of the hunters are organized in hunting parties, i.e. groups of people hunting together in an area which they own or lease
(Schneider 2012).
Hunting parties are asked to keep track of bear sightings during moose hunting
and to report their results to the Swedish Hunters’ Association (Kindberg et al.
2009). There, the results are compiled for the whole country and an annual index of
bear sightings per observation effort is published for every bear county. The ‘sightability’ of bears is different in different areas and at different times. Therefore, this
A Toolbox for Remotely Monitoring Large Carnivores in Sweden