The Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Large Carnivore Initiative

Road networks, such as the Egnatia Highway network in north-western Greece, cut through landscapes, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation, and disrupting wildlife movement. Bears travel long distances in search of food or mates, and their attempts to cross roads often lead to collisions with vehicles. These collisions can result in the animal’s death, posing a serious threat to their conservation. They also endanger human lives and damage vehicles, due to the large size of bears. 

In 2007, the Greek NGO Callisto started a collaboration with local authorities and development agencies, to minimise bear-vehicle collisions. A thorough understanding of the existing conditions was established through comprehensive monitoring of bears and roads. This included radio-tagging bears, road mortality assessments, crossing point identifications, traffic analyses and camera trapping of existing infrastructure. Risk areas were identified, and various prevention measures were implemented. These included bear-proof fences and virtual fences composed of acoustic and visual deterrent sensors activated by vehicle headlights. They also featured an advanced Animal-Vehicle Collision Prevention System with flashing lights to warn drivers and acoustic deterrents to scare animals away if drivers do not slow down.

Additionally, existing crossing structures were modified, such as by clearing vegetation to guide animals towards these passages. Warning signs were installed along roads to inform and influence drivers.