OPPAL

The return of large carnivores like the grey wolf to European landscapes has reignited one of the most complex and emotionally charged human-wildlife conflicts of our time. In the Alpine regions, where herds graze freely in open pastures without fences or constant human presence, wolf attacks on livestock have surged. These incidents not only cause substantial economic losses for farmers, but also inflict severe psychological strain and fuel political pressure to authorize lethal control measures. The resulting tension threatens both the viability of traditional pastoralism and the long-term conservation of predator species, making peaceful coexistence increasingly difficult to achieve.

To address the growing challenge of protecting livestock while preserving predator populations, the MonDe project is pioneering an AI-powered "WolfCam" system—a thermal camera network enhanced by computer vision and machine learning. This innovative solution can automatically detect wolves in real time, even at long distances and in low-visibility conditions, using OPPAL’s unique dataset of over 1,000 annotated wildlife videos. By sending alerts to human responders through a lightweight interface, WolfCam allows teams to prioritize their presence on high-risk pastures and respond swiftly to potential threats. This scalable technology not only reduces the need for lethal interventions but also offers a cost-effective path toward coexistence—transforming herd protection through intelligent, non-lethal deterrence.

The WolfCam system represents a new frontier in conservation—where science, empathy, and technology come together to protect both nature and livelihoods. By transforming how we monitor and respond to wolf presence, it paves the way for a future where coexistence is not just a hope, but a practical reality.