The State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic (SNC SR) has prepared a series of documentary and instructional films on the protection of livestock and property from large carnivores, as well as on the correct application of various types of preventive measures and on the rules of behaviour in nature. Effective protection of herds by guard dogs is the topic of a feature film entitled “Kangal, the herd protector”, which premiered this week in the Cinema Hall of the SNP Museum in Banská Bystrica. The screening was followed by a discussion with the makers of the film.
As General Director of the SNC SR, Dušan Karaska, stated during the premiere, “the film aspires to raise awareness of the available options for the protection of livestock against large carnivores. Globally, using shepherd dogs is considered to be one of the most effective livestock protection methods, especially when herds are grazing in an open country. By preventing wild animals from accessing herds and causing damage, guard dogs open up the possibility of a better coexistence between humans and large carnivores.”
“Kangal, the herd protector” is a documentary which takes the viewer to a shepherd’s hut in Vitanová, in the Upper Orava region. Its owner, Vladimír Ondrík, herds more than a thousand sheep in the open. The sheep are protected by Kangal guarding shepherd dogs. The documentary follows the life and upbringing of 11 freshly born puppies over the course of a year, as they gradually become well trained herding guard dogs capable of standing up to large carnivores thanks to their proper upbringing and training. Sheep management and herd safety on this sheepfold is a prime example for many other livestock breeders in Slovakia.
Photo from the expert discussion at the premiere of the film, from the left: Slavomír Finďo, Michaela Skuban and Vladimír Ondrik
Photo from the expert discussion at the premiere of the film, from the left: Slavomír Finďo, Michaela Skuban and Vladimír Ondrik
In addition to the documentary, a series of five short educational films have been produced presenting practical solutions and well functioning examples of how to properly secure not only livestock, but also agricultural crops and other assets against large carnivores. Aside from guard dogs, other topics discussed in the films are the issue of inappropriate selection of agricultural crops in areas with brown bears, the possibility of using electric fencing and its correct application and an overview of other devices used for protection against large carnivores. The series also includes a short instructional film on how to behave in areas with brown bears.
All the films were prepared by Michaela Skuban, a SNC SR zoologist and a large carnivores expert. In addition to creating the script and screenplay, Michaela Skuban also co-directed the films. Acting as an expert supervisor in this original film project was SNC SR zoologist Slavomír Finďo.
Production of the “Kangal, the herd protector” documentary and the production of the series of five short educational films was financially supported from the Operational Programme Quality of Environment within the scope of the project entitled Implementation of Large Carnivore Management Programmes in Slovakia. The films were made in cooperation with Ivan Kršiak and Tomáš Kršiak.
- The educational series will be gradually made available on the website and on the YouTube channel of the State Nature Conservancy of the SR. At the moment, two of the documentaries are available there: “How to Behave in a Forest” and “Shepherd Guard Dogs” https://www.youtube.com/@sopsr1293
- Trailer for the feature film Kangal, the herd protector can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuhOw3MerS8
This press release was prepared by the Department of Communication and Promotion of the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic.
