Ecological research

National Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is the most important centre for large carnivore research in Finland. Luke conducts research in cooperation with many other organisations. The results of this research form the basis for the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's population management decisions. Above all, ecological research into large carnivores aims to increase the reliability of population estimates with the help of migration and territory data, to collect information on the behaviour of large carnivores and to determine the genetic makeup of our predator populations.

Animal tracking and genetic studies

Bear is sitting in a forest. Bear is sitting. Photo Sabrina Logeais

Tracking is an important method of collecting data on large carnivores. Animals are tracked and monitored in various ways based on the species and the needs of the research project. On one hand, tracking methods are constantly developing to give even more reliable information. On the other hand, increasing tracking efforts by putting collars on a larger number of animals, for example, also increases costs.

Radio tags

VHF tracking is based on locating radio signals with a homing device. This method requires that the researcher is out in the wild. VHF devices are inexpensive to buy, but the costs of animal tracking are high. This method also results in a fairly low amount of location data.

GPS tracking

This tracking method utilises GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites to track animals. The GPS collar on an animal's neck regularly updates its location data, which is stored in the collar.

This stored data is retrieved for use either by removing the collar or by programming the collar to transmit its data via radio signal every three months, for example. GPS devices are more expensive than VHF devices. However, the costs of tracking are lower and the amount of gained location data is far greater than with the VHF method. GPS-GSM tracking (e.g., GPS Direct System) differs from regular GPS tracking in that with this method the location data reaches the researcher faster as it is transmitted via the GSM mobile network.

The wildlife triangle method

The so-called wildlife triangle method is a unique programme for monitoring over 30 game species. A "wildlife triangle" is a triangle-shaped census line in the terrain. Each side of these triangles is 4 kilometres long, which all together creates a 12-kilometre census line for each triangle. Around 1 800 wildlife triangles have been founded all over the country. Wildlife censuses are conducted twice a year in approximately 800 triangles both in the winter and the summer.

In August, hunters go to their designated wildlife triangles to count the fowl and also log all bear-related sightings. During the twenty years this programme has been in place, a bear has only been seen twice during a census, but tracks, carcasses and other signs of their existence are found quite often. In January-February the hunters go back to the same triangles and count mammal tracks. This results in sightings of wolf, wolverine and lynx tracks. Lynx tracks are the most numerous. Fewer than 100 wolf and wolverine tracks are usually found in these censuses, which means the results cannot be used for the purposes of making population estimates for these species.

Genetic research

National Resources Institute Finland participates in international research projects charting the genetic makeup of large carnivore populations. Its most important research partners are the universities of Uppsala, Lund, Tartu and Bern. Based on the results of these projects, our predator populations exhibit the genetic variance characteristic of large, coherent populations. This is a natural result of our large carnivores belonging to wider geographic populations, which are mostly situated in Russia. The wolverines in Fell Lapland are the exception to this rule as they are closer to the population living in the northern parts of Sweden and Norway than to Russian populations.

Large carnivore research in Finland

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luonnonvarakeskus, or Luke) is the organisation responsible for monitoring and researching large carnivores in Finland.

Population management

Population management plans for large carnivores

The views held by Finns are sometimes conflicting when it comes to the population management and conservation of large carnivores. In order to piece together these different views, national management plans are created.

Legislation and regulations

National legislation and international agreements apply to the protection and hunting of Finland’s large carnivores.