In June 2023, representative of LIFE Lynx project visited Gymnasium of France Prešeren, Kranj to conduct a Role Playing workshop on. The goal was to gain insights into students’ perspectives regarding the presence of large carnivores, including lynx, and to assess any changes in their opinions and feelings following the 35 min workshop.

Analysis were based on survey conducted before and after the role-playing workshop. The survey questionnaire encompassed students’ viewpoints on large carnivores and their opinions on measures for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Sixty-five  students aged 15-16 years contributed to the study before the workshop. Not all stayed until the end of the workshop and 52 were included into after the workshop survey. In September 2023, 3 months after the workshop, we repeated the study.

Prior to  the workshop, a minority of students expressed the belief that there is an overabundance of large carnivores, including lynx, in Slovenia, resulting in substantial harm to livestock and transformations of rural areas. They proposed importance of using protective measures to resolve conflicts together with increased culling as a solution to reduce conflicts in all the conducted surveys.  They also emphasized the need for state funding to assist livestock breeders in protecting their animals.

Most students that didn’t have an opinion before,  after the study opposed culling, viewing large carnivores as intelligent and sentient beings. They highlighted the significance of exploring alternative solutions that do not involve killing animals. These opinions more than doubled prior and after the workshop, and lowered in September. In September increased the percentage of students without opinion.

At the conclusion, an additional survey segment measured students’ feelings regarding the presence of large carnivores. It was observed that students who initially expressed fear and discomfort about the presence of large carnivores experienced a slight increase in discomfort after the workshop. However, those who already expressed no fear seemed to feel slightly more feared, what was contrary with the expectations of the workshop. The main reason could be the explanation of the student about the story from a family member, who told the story of  a farmer, that told a story about the wolves in their village… In September this fear even increased, probably due to negative attitudes and articles in local media during the summer holidays.  

The study reveals the diversity of students’ perspectives on the relationship with large carnivores in Slovenia. The role-playing workshop influenced some changes in students’ opinions and attitudes. Further research and educational initiatives are needed to foster a comprehensive understanding of human-wildlife interactions and promote sustainable coexistence.

Written by: Nina Ražen, Gimnasium France Prešeren