Coexistence requires boundaries
The return of the wolf in Europe is a conservation success. But for dairy farmers on Croatia's frontier, it is an existential crisis. We crowdfund the infrastructure that keeps the families safe, the wilderness wild, and the livestock alive.
The frontline of European rewilding
We often talk about 'Living with Wolves' from the comfort of our cities. But for traditional dairy farmers like the Štrbacs, a family of seven in Croatia's Dalmatian hinterland, the reality is a daily struggle for survival.
The Štrbac family has lost over 50 sheep to attacks, yet the administrative requirements for compensation are complex and slow. The current payout of €384 does not cover the cost of recovery.
The Policy Gap
Regulations designed for spreadsheets often miss the reality of the terrain. Here is why the current safety net fails to catch the fall.
The 48-hour clock
To qualify for compensation, a farmer must locate the carcass (with ear tag intact) within 48 hours. In the dense, rocky scrub, nature often hides the evidence before it can be found.
Meat vs value
The State pays for "meat weight." They ignore the lost future milk production, offspring and existing contracts.
Replacement Deficit
Raising a trained guardian dog costs upwards of €2,000. State compensation for a killed guardian dog is capped at €400. This leaves the shepherd with a massive financial deficit just to restore security.
Invisible damages
The damage doesn't end with the kill. Stress causes abortions and dries up milk production in the surviving herd. These "secondary losses" surpass the value of the dead animal, yet go uncompensated.
"I don't hate the wolf. Only a few years ago, I rescued two cubs, nurtured them and released them back into the wild where they belong. But I cannot sacrifice my children's health for them."
- Saša Štrbac, Shepherd & Father
Building a lasting defense
The herd was decimated. We are rebuilding it with intent, protecting it with fencing and guardian dogs, and sustaining it through the transition ahead.
Restocking the Herd
A fence protects nothing if the barn is empty. We are acquiring 40 new sheep (Cigaja & Lacaune breeds). This specific genetic mix ensures high milk yield and resilience, restarting the family's revenue stream immediately.
Securing the Perimeter
We are building what the bureaucracy won't: a professional high-voltage electric fence and a reinforced night barn. This hardware ensures that the new investment (the flock) survives the winter.
Operational Support
Rebuilding takes time. A portion of funds is allocated to feed, veterinary care, and family support to bridge the gap until milk production resumes.
Help stop the attacks.
Real coexistence requires hardware, not just policy. Help us fund the specific physical infrastructure, fencing and guardian dogs, that keeps the wolves out and the farm running.
- ✅ Secure: Payments processed safely via Stripe/WhyDonate.
- ✅ Transparent: Regular photo updates on how your funds are put to work.
- ✅ Direct: 100% of net proceeds go to the Štrbac family.
Tell us what you think
Have advice on herd protection? Or just want to share your experience? We'd love to hear from you!