After 4 years of extensive work, the LIFE‑COEX Project: Improving the Coexistence of Large Carnivores with Livestock Farming in Southern Europe, whose national coordination was the responsibility of Grupo Lobo, concluded with great success. This project involved researchers and technicians from 19 institutions in 6 European countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece), lasted 4 years, and aimed to develop the necessary socio‑economic and legislative conditions for effective conservation of large carnivores (wolf and bear) in the project intervention areas, by minimising conflict situations affecting their conservation, using a participatory approach involving different stakeholder groups. In Portugal, 22 different actions were developed, from monitoring the wolf population, assessing the stray dog situation and preparing a management plan, developing studies on public attitudes towards wolves and an ecotourism programme, to producing outreach and educational materials on carnivores and livestock protection methods. All actions were carried out with great success. As a result of the great success of livestock guardian dogs, there was a high number of requests from livestock farmers, resulting in the delivery of more than 90 dogs. Around 96% of livestock farmers reported being Satisfied‑Very Satisfied with their guardian dogs.
