About Us
SESCARNIVORE
is a transdisciplinary research initiative led by Dr. Tibor Hartel, bringing together ecologists, social scientists, planners, and local stakeholders to explore how humans and large carnivores, such as bears, wolves, and lynx, can coexist in shared landscapes. Rooted in Romania but designed with global relevance, our project seeks to develop a social-ecological niche theory to guide coexistence in a world shaped by urban expansion, ecological change, and cultural diversity.
Our team is made by:
- Scientists from top Romanian and European institutions with expertise in ecology, sociology, and environmental planning
- Practitioners and community partners with deep local knowledge and real-world influence
- A dedicated network committed to co-creating solutions that are both scientifically grounded and socially just
Our collective experience spans ecosystem service research, biodiversity conservation, sustainability transformations, and participatory governance. By integrating ecological models with human values, policies, and land-use practices, SESCARNIVORE aims to become a blueprint for rethinking coexistence across Europe and beyond
Funding acknowledgement
The project "Developing a Social-Ecological Niche Theory to Leverage Human-Large Carnivore Coexistence (SESCARNIVORE)" is funded by the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research through the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI), under the Exploratory Research Projects Program.
Grant Number: PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-0225
Context
Coexisting with Carnivores in a human dominated world
SESCARNIVORE is a cutting-edge research initiative exploring how humans and large carnivores, like bears, wolves, and lynx, can thrive together in shared landscapes. As large carnivore populations recover across Europe, they increasingly encounter human-dominated environments, sparking new challenges around safety, land use, and coexistence. Traditional conservation models don't fully address these (in several aspects novel) tensions. SESCARNIVORE fills this gap by developing a new social-ecological niche theory, a framework that blends ecology, sociology, planning, and local knowledge to guide peaceful coexistence. From global insights to local solutions, we're building practical strategies to reduce conflict and support thriving ecosystems.
Partners and Advisors
SESCARNIVORE relies on collaboration
Our work is made possible through strong partnerships with scientists, universities, NGOs, local communities, government institutions, and research networks across Europe and beyond. This dynamic section features our current and evolving network of partners contributing to research, implementation, and outreach.
Project BAG
The association is a dynamic non-profit organization based in the Eastern Carpathians of Romania. Their mission is to foster community engagement, environmental education, and sustainable development through innovative projects and collaborations. By connecting volunteers with civil society organizations, they aim to strengthen community ties and promote active citizenship. In SESCARNIVORE, Project Bag contributes to stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches and will be responsible with the development of a bear smart General Urbanistic Plan (objective 3).
Szemerja–Görgő Közbirtokosság
The Szemerja–Görgő Association of Commons is a historic forest commons association based in Sfântu Gheorghe - Sepsiszentgyörgy, Romania. Rooted in centuries-old traditions of communal land stewardship, the association manages shared forest resources, emphasizing sustainable forestry practices and biodiversity conservation. Under the leadership of Csákány László, the association actively engages in environmental education and community involvement, organizing events like open forest days to foster public awareness and participation. In the SESCARNIVORE project, Szemerja–Görgő Közbirtokosság contributes valuable local knowledge, will facilitate the implementation of camera trap study and will assist with the organization of workshops crucial for the participatory development of a bear smart General Urbanistic Plan.
Ben SCHEELE
DoctorIs an ecologist working at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University. He specializes on amphibian conservation and wildlife disease ecology. His research focuses on understanding species' responses to emerging threats, particularly the impacts of diseases like chytridiomycosis on amphibian populations. He employs a combination of population and landscape ecology approaches to investigate species declines and works closely with conservation practitioners to inform management strategies. Ben is the author of a recent influential paper on ecological niche and co-authored papers on large carnivore and amphibian ecology with SESCARNIVORE team members.
Euan RITCHIE
ProfessorWorks at School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University. Euan is a wildlife ecologist whose research encompasses behavioural, community, and evolutionary ecology, with a particular focus on Australia's native mammals. He applies ecological theory and fieldwork to address challenges in biodiversity conservation, including the roles of predators in ecosystems and the impacts of invasive species and fire. His work informs environmental policy and conservation actions.
José Vicente LÓPEZ-BAO
DoctorDr. López-Bao is a conservation scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (based at the Biodiversity Research Institute, IMIB-CSIC). He is interested in the integration of quantitative, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to face conservation challenges. With particular interest in human-wildlife interactions, and large carnivores, such as wolves and bears, and other megafauna in human-dominated landscapes. In his research, he integrates different disciplines such as ecology, law, political or social sciences. He keeps a strong emphasis on the applied nature of his research questions. His research has been published in several multidisciplinary and conservation-related journals.
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