I graduated from Agronomy at the Faculty of Biotechnology, and continued my Master’s degree in Forestry due to my strong interest in wildlife. I am currently finishing my Master’s degree, where I am studying the habitat suitability of the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) in Slovenia. Love for forests and nature has been with me since I was a little girl, therefore it means a lot to me to be part of the LIFE Lynx project and to be helping to conserve the lynx population. I am proud to be part of such a wonderful, professional and highly motivated team. I like to spend my free time with my dogs, enjoying hiking and hunting kinology.
Maruša Prostor
Slovenia Forest ServiceNera Fabijanić
BIOMI am a PhD student at the Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb. In 2011, I began my scientific journey and research with wildlife camera traps. As an active huntress, it gives me great pleasure to contribute with my knowledge for the conservation of the lynx, a charismatic and enigmatic species in our region. I spend every free moment in nature; it’s a way of life for me. Working in Association Biom and lecturing at Karlovac University of Applied Sciences gives me the opportunity to combine nature protection with wildlife management.
Tomislav Sotinac
BIOMI work for the NGO BIOM, with a base in Sinj, Dalmatia, Croatia. I have been working on different projects since the spring of 2020. with different interesting activities such as monitoring bees, grassland restoration, restoring ponds and wells, etc. Originally a “flatlands” man from eastern Croatia, I fell in love with the Croatian mountains and started field work on LifeLynx in the winter of 2020. Since then, I eagerly await every opportunity to check and put up new photo traps for lynx monitoring, as well as do the snow tracking. The project activities gave me amazing insights on the behavior of that amazing animal as well as other creatures that I could study during field work and the review of hundreds of thousands of videos and photos from camera traps in the last few years. Working for BIOM and on projects of such importance fills me with gratitude and pride.
Tilen Hvala
Hunters Association of SloveniaI am a forester by profession. In 2020, I completed my graduate studies at the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, on the topic of chamois monitoring. After completing my undergraduate studies, I enrolled in a master’s degree in forestry, which I plan to complete in 2022. I have always been interested in wildlife and its relation to ecology and management, so I am happy to be involved in such an important lynx conservation project. I like to spend my free time in nature, especially hunting in the company of my dog.
Ana Pšeničnik
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyThrough my studies of Biology Education and Ecology and Biodiversity I realized, that these two areas are strongly connected to each other. Public education about ecology and biology is an important factor for establishing positive attitudes towards large carnivores. Therefore, I am very excited to be involved in the LIFE Lynx project and that I can contribute to the conservation of the Eurasian lynx with different educational content and activities for the public. I like to spend my free time in the nature – mostly hiking or climbing. I also like to spend time with my friends and family, play the guitar, and sing or read an interesting book.
Rok Černe
Slovenia Forest ServiceI am a forester by profession and have been working as a project manager on wildlife at the Slovenian Forest Service for more than ten years. I am currently a LIFE Lynx project coordinator. Additionally, I am the president of the Alpine Convention’s WISO platform and a LIFE WolfAlps EU project team member. In my free time, I love spending time with my family. I enjoy traveling, hiking, kite surfing, and snowboarding.
Nives Pagon, Ph.D.
Slovenia Forest ServiceI am a biologist with a great interest in animal ecology and behaviour. My work focused primarily on large mammals (herbivores and carnivores) up to now, since the days I was gathering field experience as a volunteer in various research groups across Europe. I am proud to be part of an enthusiastic and professional research team during such an important nature conservation step as saving this lynx population is. I am happiest when hiking or cycling in an inspiring forest/ mountainous landscape and spending time with friends. I also enjoy the underwater life at sea and nurture special interest in officinal plants.
Maja Sever
Slovenia Forest ServiceMy professional path first took me to limnology and freshwater benthic invertebrates. After 10 years my path turned and I joined large carnivore group at Slovenia Forest Service to work on large carnivore communication. It gives me great joy, to work in a group, where I can contribute with my positive energy, resourcefulness and creativity. Lynx conservation is of great importance and I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this goal. My free time is mostly dedicated to my family and friends. I like to travel around the world and hike in the mountains. As an amateur musician I play the drums in local orchestra and sing in a choir.
Gregor Simčič
Slovenia Forest ServiceI am a forester and ecologist with a passion for discovering new knowledge hidden in the rows and columns of databases. Currently I work for Slovenia Forest Service large carnivores project team. Within the LIFE Lynx project, I serve as a technical support for my co-workers whether trough help with field activities or by solving technical or data related problem. Apart from my work LIFE Lynx project, I am actively involved in wolf monitoring and also participate in LIFE WOLFALPS EU and LIFE NarcIS projects. Nature conservation and data analysis have been my main topics of interest since my student years, so I feel really privileged that I got the opportunity to bring them together in field that is as interesting as large carnivore conservation and management.
Andrej Rot
Slovenia Forest ServiceI am a law graduate by education. I come from the western part of Slovenia, from the Posočje region. Nature has always been very close to me and I devote most of my free time to nature activities, especially hunting. My role in the LIFE Lynx project is related to field work, lynx monitoring, communication with hunters, and performing a variety of administrative and legal work. I have great pleasure in working on the project, as I have always been interested in wildlife and large carnivores.
Tomaž Berce
Slovenia Forest ServiceI’m a biologist, actively involved in the field of large carnivores for the last 10 years. First I started as a volunteer, later on as an employee on Slovenia Forest Service. Since 2014, I have been working at SFS in the field of conflict mitigation between people and large carnivores, mostly with damage prevention measures. I always try to understand the challenges of people living in areas of large carnivore presence. I live in countryside, which gives me the opportunity to closely understand the everyday challenges. I was actively involved in researches on golden jackals, otters, beavers, invasive species, and I have been an active ornithologist for more than 20 years. In my free time, I like to be with my family and friends, and I also do sports, mostly running, hiking and other activities in the nature.
Lan Hočevar
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyI am a forester by profession. I finished my education at the Biotechnical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana at the Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources. I am most interested in studying animals, especially large carnivores. I have been studying Eurasian lynx for several years, and I have written about it in my diploma thesis (BSc) and more recently in my master’s thesis (MSc). From a young age, I like to spend time in the woods and nature, where I feel the best. In my spare time, I like to do wildlife photography, play football, hike, and hang out with friends.
Astrid Vik Stronen, Ph.D.
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyI am a wildlife biologist and researcher in conservation genetics and ecology. My recent studies include genomic analyses of wild species and domestic populations at risk in Europe and Canada, including bison, cattle, dogs, and wolves. I am interested in contemporary evolution resulting from human activities, and how we can best preserve wild species and their habitats in the face of rapid environmental change. I have a strong interest in applied conservation genetics, and in projects that integrate ecology, evolution, and conservation and connect these fields to human dimensions including ethics and human-wildlife interactions. On my free time I enjoy dancing, hiking, reading, and traveling. I feel very fortunate to be involved in this and other wildlife conservation projects that are helping to preserve wild species in southcentral Europe and beyond.
Urša Fležar
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyI am a biologist and I work as a researcher at University of Ljubljana and as an analyst at the Slovenia Forestry Service. Questions related to wildlife ecology, conservation and management have been the main focus of my studies and my work. Among these, issues related to monitoring have always grabbed my attention in a special way. I am very excited to be involved with this ambitious international project with such a diverse team of people, where my main task is to follow the progress of lynx reinforcement efforts in Slovenia. When out of the office, I like training with my dog, foraging, painting, podcasting and spending as much time as possible in the nature.
Renato Pontarini
Progetto Lince ItaliaClass 1970 Tarvisio, always passionate about nature and fauna, I have been a member of the Progetto Lince Italia for over 15 years and I am in charge of monitoring. For the PLI I follow the otter and the beaver, two species recently returned to Italy. My great passion is nature photography. I am the official photographer of the PLI and my photos have been published in various magazines, books and calendars.
Alberto Colleselli, Ph.D.
Progetto Lince ItaliaBorn in 1950, have a doctorate in forestry, I started my career working as a forester, teacher and working in the zoology sector. In 1977, I joined the State Forestry Service as an officer, in 2006 assumed the role of superior manager with the rank of general and remained there until retirement. I was a member of the Governing Council of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, and a member of the CITES Commission at the Italian Ministry of the Environment. I am a passionate hunter and operative president in the Federcaccia of the Province of Belluno. I am a member of the AGJSO committee, the permanent assembly of hunting associations in the south-eastern Alps. I am currently also active as President of the progetto Lince Italia.
Zdravko Budimir
BIOMWith a background in social studies, I work for the field of nature protection. Even though nature protection was not a part of my formal education, I have always been close to nature conservation efforts and the promotion of sustainable development. My educational background could also be the reason why I can contribute to LIFE Lynx as much. In the project, I am mostly involved in communication duties and organization of events. Also, with photography as a hobby, I am eager to join our project team in fieldwork and reviewing camera trap footage.
Ivan Budinski
BIOMMy educational background is forestry but my professional occupation includes many aspects of conservation biology. I am working on issues like wildlife crime, habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring or invasive species. Thus, I have never fully specialized but I am constantly dealing with the complexity of conservation and Nature.
Enjoying in fieldwork no matter which habitat or season, sea or land. I have always been interested in raptors and owls and now, in connecting it to the conservation of the large carnivores. I am working in Association Biom since 2009. When I am not on work than I spend time with my wife and son, again being a lot of time in nature or in our organic garden
Nina Jankovič
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature ConservationI work at the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation. My field of expertise is creating interpretive centers. Currently I am working on two exhibitions, the story of black olm which is endemic to the underground waters in Bela krajina and the story of the river Krka focused on Natura 2000. I am happy to be part of the LIFE Lynx project. With team of experts we will create nature trail to explain reintroduction of lynx. In free time I like to travel and spending time in nature, as much as possible.
Paolo Molinari
Progetto Lince ItaliaBorn in 1967. I studied forestry sciences, but I soon abandoned forestry to devote myself to research, management and conservation of wildlife. I have been involved in the management of ungulates and for over 30 years I have been dealing with large carnivors, specializing in the brown bear and Eurasian lynx. I am a founding member and technical-scientific coordinator of the Progetto Lince Italia, a member of the IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group, the SCALP and KORA. I am operating as a scientific consultant for wildlife management for the Carabinieri Forestali. Together with some colleagues I was the promoter of the WISO platform of the Alpine Convention of which I was secretary for 6 years. I am currently also a member of the Italian delegation of the Ministry of the Environment. I have collaborated on numerous naturalistic documentaries and I am the author of several books. I’m a passionate hunter.
Lado Bradač
Hunters Association of SloveniaI am a hunter and president of the Hunters Association of Slovenia. I have been active in the hunting organization for many years, and I take care of fulfilling our mission about nature conservation for future generations. To reach our goal and accomplish our mission, hunters spend almost one million hours per year volunteering to do good for the environment and nature. Participating in the LIFE Lynx project is just one of the activities, but priceless in terms of our mission. Because of the demanding full-time job and volunteer work at the Hunters Association of Slovenia, I do not have much free time, but if I do, I prefer to spend it in nature and at the seaside.
Dr. Silvia Blašković
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of ZagrebI am a veterinarian and I’ve always been fascinated by large carnivores and dreamed about conservation of endangered species. I started participating in the project activities during my studies, and lynxes have been subject of my dissertation. I am currently a PhD student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb and I am extremely proud that as part of the LIFE Lynx team I will contribute to the preservation of our lynx population. In my free time, I find the greatest joy in hiking and photographing nature and animals.
Andrea Gazzola
ACDBI am an ecologist and have been working on wildlife conservation projects for over fifteen years. My research focuses on wolves, and I have gained knowledge on their behaviour and ecology by studying them in various ecosystems, from the Apennines to the Alps and the Carpathians. Working with different institutions (universities, NGOs, and Natural Parks’ Administrations) has developed my comprehensive knowledge on wolf research, conservation, and management. Since 2013, I have been a permanent staff member at ACDB. LIFE Lynx provides an excellent opportunity to improve my knowledge on one of the most elusive and charismatic species in Europe. In my free time, I enjoy drawing comics, reading books, and running in the mountains.
Mariana Gheorghiu
ACDBFor the last twelve years, I have worked as project manager and financial manager of three LIFE Nature projects. As a member of the ACDB, I have contributed to conservation activities in both the field and office. As an administrative and financial manager responsible for the ACDB projects, I learned that conservation projects need a lot of resources and teamwork to be successful.
Tomislav Gomerčić, Ph.D.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ZagrebI am a professor at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, and my teaching activities are focused on zoology and ecology. I have been involved in large carnivore and marine mammal research for over fifteen years. In my professional work, I connect my passion for nature science and computer technologies. I am a father of three children and passionate about paragliding, sailing and enjoying life.
Maja Jelenčič, Ph.D.
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyI’m a biologist, and I have been working with the Animal Ecology Research Group, BF, UL since 2010, where my main responsibility is ensuring our genetic laboratory runs smoothly. I’m glad that I have an opportunity to work on such projects as LIFE Lynx, knowing that our work has an impact on nature conservation. Most of my free time is now dedicated to family life – we love to go out, discover new places and just enjoy our time together.
Irena Kavčič, Ph.D.
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyWhen I finished my microbiology degree, I wanted to spend more time outside the lab, working on conservation issues. During my PhD studies, I was involved in various large carnivore projects. I enjoy learning about the complexity of large carnivore conservation and working towards better coexistence between people and wildlife. Within the LIFE Lynx project, I coordinate lynx-based tourism activities that benefit both local communities and lynx conservation. I love being outdoors, away from technology, and reading a good book just before I go to sleep.
Miha Krofel, Ph.D.
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyI am a wildlife researcher and mainly work on large carnivore ecology, management and conservation in Europe and Africa. I have dedicated most of my research to Eurasian lynx, brown bear, grey wolf, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard and jackals. To a lesser degree, I have also studied raptors, ravens, and lizards. My doctorate dissertation focused on interspecific interactions between lynx and other animals, with which lynx coexist in Dinaric forest ecosystem. In my free time, I enjoy travelling around the world and photographing wildlife.
Rudolf Kropil, Ph.D.
Technical University in ZvolenI am the President of the Slovak Rectors’ Conference, the Rector of the Technical University in Zvolen, and the Head of the Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management. My work specializes on solving problems of sustainable development, applied zoology (ornithology and mammalogy) and forest ecology in relation to other economic, forestry and environmental disciplines, and I am recently involved in the improvement of the ungulate management.
Jakub Kubala, Ph.D.
Technical University in ZvolenI am a zoologist and researcher at the Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen. My work is focused on research, conservation and management of the Eurasian lynx and other carnivores in the Western Carpathians and Europe. I am actively collaborating with several national and international institutions, such as the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, the National Zoo Bojnice, the State Nature Conservation of the Slovak Republic, KORA, LCIE, WWF etc.
Aleksandra Majić Skrbinšek, M.Sc.
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyMy main professional interest and motivation is to contribute to finding effective solutions to conservation problems. My affection for animals was first directed towards getting a degree in veterinary medicine and completing a thesis in wolf ecology. As I got more involved in practical conservation in the field, I’ve learned that working with people is the main challenge in nature conservation. Therefore, I focused my graduate studies on human dimensions of wildlife management, especially public participation in decision-making and studies of public attitudes towards large carnivore species. In my 20 years of professional experience, I have worked on different nature conservation and research projects, mainly in Slovenia and Croatia. I am a member of IUCN/SSC specialist group “Large carnivore initiative for Europe”. I am currently based at the Biology Department of Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana in the position of project manager and researcher. When not at work, I am a full-time wife and a mother, and part-time dog walker, sailor, seamstress, and volunteer at Down Syndrome Association of Slovenia.
Anja Molinari-Jobin, Ph.D.
Progetto Lince ItaliaI have been involved in research and monitoring projects of large carnivores for more than 25 years. As a member of Progetto Lince Italia and KORA, my main topic is the reintegration of lynx into the Alps. I coordinate the SCALP (Status and Conservation of the Alpine lynx Population), a programme aimed to synchronize the monitoring and conservation activities of lynx in the Alps. I am a member of the IUCN/SSC specialist groups “Cat Specialist Group” and “Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe”. In the frame of the project LIFE Lynx I am coordinating the activities in Italy and act as consultant for lynx captures in the Carpathians. I am a hunter and bee-keeper.
Aleš Pičulin
ForesterI am a forester by profession. I obtained my bachelor’s degree at the University of Ljubljana. I am currently working on my master’s degree where I am exploring the role of European badger (Meles meles) as an ecosystem engineer. I have always felt connected to the forest and the animals that live there—this is a key reason why I decided to study forestry. I am also a hunter, which is our family tradition. When I am in nature I like to observe and take photographs of different animals, tree species and various compositions. Because my hobby is painting, I try to transfer these images and unique situations to paper and canvas. My artwork is mostly of wildlife and nature. In addition to art, I enjoy playing accordion and doing many sports, including ice hockey, basketball, football and hiking.
Mihai Pop
ACDBInterested in wildlife, I like spending my time supporting biodiversity conservation initiatives. I have worked on forest management, protected areas, habitat, and wildlife conservation for the last fifteen years, but my primary interest is on brown bears and other large carnivores. I have worked for public institutions, private companies, research centers and conservation NGOs in Romania. The LIFE Lynx project put a new challenge in of front me that I could not refuse.
Ivana Selanec
BIOMMy involvement in nature protection started with studies in biology at Zagreb University, where I finished my master’s in ecology and nature protection in 2012. My early studies focused on mammal ecology through participation in small mammal inventory and jackal distribution research. I have worked at Association Biom for the last five years where I am focused on invasive mammal species in Croatia, endemic rodent species Dinaric Snow Vole, carnivore ecology and conservation. I am involved in the educational activities of our Association and management of projects focused on nature protection; I practice Open Standards for the practice of conservation as a CCnet coach. I live in the town Sinj in the Dalmatian Hinterland of Croatia, where I enjoy the beautiful environment with my partner Ivan and son Marko.
Teodora Sin
ACDBI am an ecologist and have been working on large carnivore conservation projects for the past seven years. My studies have focused mainly on wolf ecology and conservation, and in 2018 I will complete my Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Bucharest on the same topic. My educational background also includes an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and a B.A. in Geography. I cannot stay still for too long, and I like to get to know things in great detail, so my free time is spent enjoying outdoor activities- climbing, trail running, cycling- or exploring the surroundings of the places where I live.
Magda Sindičić, Ph.D.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ZagrebI am an assistant professor at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb where I teach wildlife management and wildlife disease. I have been focused on lynx research since the beginning of my scientific career, and I am thrilled to contribute to conservation of this magnificent species. My other professional interests are biology and pathology of wildlife, especially carnivores, wildlife parasitology and conservation genetics. I am a Mediterranean, mother and volunteer at humanitarian organizations. I am happiest when hiking and sailing with friends and family.
Vedran Slijepčević
Karlovac University of Applied SciencesI am a veterinarian specialized in wildlife manipulation as well as non-invasive research of large carnivores. I work as a senior lecturer on Department of wildlife management and nature conservation on Karlovac University of Applied Sciences. Most of my work on lynx is based on recognition of signs of presence and camera trapping, as well as capture, manipulation and telemetry research. I tend to include my students in every part of field research I can, so they can experience real research situations first hand. I am also experienced hunter and spearfisherman and I try to steal every possible moment from “real life” and spend it in nature with my dog Gea.
Peter Smolko, Ph.D.
Technical University in ZvolenI am a researcher at the Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen. My research focuses on foraging and nutritional ecology of wild ungulates, plant-herbivore-predator interactions and landscape modifications on wildlife populations. I am also involved in the improving practical management of wild ungulates and conservation of the large carnivores.
Cosmin Stîngă
ACDBI serve as president of the Association for the Conservation of Biological Diversity and have been responsible for the implementation of species conservation projects during the pre-accession and post-accession of Romania into the EU. As such, I am familiar with the specific requirements of various funding dedicated to biodiversity conservation. I worked on in-situ conservation projects that involved the capturing, tranquilizing, radio-collaring, and monitoring of brown bear, lynx, and wolf. My current activity is partially dedicated to the functioning of the ACDB Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
Ira Topličanec
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ZagrebI’m a PhD student at the Faculty of Veterinary medicine in Zagreb, Croatia. My passion for nature and outdoor activities defined my career goals and life aspirations. As a veterinary student, I was always looking for a chance to work with wildlife, not only in Croatia, but throughout Europe with a little help from different scholarships. As a result, I am thrilled and proud to be part of the LIFE Lynx project team where I am getting a chance to work with many amazing researchers and specialists who dedicated their professional life to wildlife research and conservation.
Manca Velkavrh
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical FacultyDuring my student years, I was involved in many activities as a volunteer, including some projects about large carnivores. I am very happy this became part of my work now. I am especially interested in the peoples’ perspective, since I don’t see the question of large carnivores as a question of nature, as much as I see it as a question of society. I love spending time surrounded by nature, often together with my dog, spending time with my friends, training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and listening to music.
Seth Wilson, Ph.D.
External collaboratorAs a conservation biologist, I marvel at the connections between nature, culture, and community. As such, I have focused my undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral education on integrating social science and ecology with an emphasis on the conservation of large carnivores. I am currently a Research Associate at the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative and an Affiliate Faculty member at the University of Montana. I also serve on the IUCN – Bear Specialist Group’s Human-Bear Conflict Expert Team.
During 2015-2016 I had the great fortune to work as a technical advisor to the Slovenian Forest Service under the LIFE DINALP BEAR Project. I am thrilled to be back in Slovenia for another year—this time for the LIFE Lynx Project.
I enjoy spending my free time with my family exploring the world—especially in nature. We love being in the mountains, on rivers, and in the forest. My hope is to leave my children and future generations with a beautiful and healthy planet.
Srečko Žerjav
Hunters Association of SloveniaI am a hunter and nature admirer, currently in my third term as director of the Hunters Association of Slovenia (HAS). I am active in The European Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation (FACE) and The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). I have been involved as an outside partner in some actions and activities of LIFE projects SLOWOLF and LIFE DINALP BEAR. In my free time, I like to enjoy nature as a hiker, fly fisherman and hunter. We all have to help protect nature!