Support Services from the Carinthian Wildlife Damage Fund

The Carinthian Wildlife Damage Fund offers a grant to compensate for damages caused by year-round protected wildlife species such as bears, wolves, lynxes, beavers, or otters in Carinthia. Eligible applicants are owners and managers of fish ponds and flowing waters, agricultural and forestry enterprises, alpine livestock holders, as well as beekeepers, provided proof of management rights or registration obligations is available. The support covers compensation for economic losses due to damaged pond stocks, grazed field crops, damaged forest areas, killed or injured livestock, and destroyed beehives. The online application can be submitted immediately after the damage event becomes known and must be submitted within 14 days at the latest for ponds as well as agricultural and forestry areas. For flowing waters, submission is possible once annually. Evidence includes, among others, stocking records, veterinary invoices with UELN number, and registration proofs according to the K-BiWG.

The funding measure aims to stabilize the existence of enterprises in the fields of fisheries, agriculture, forestry, livestock farming, and beekeeping and to ensure the ecological protection of protected species. Comprehensive guidelines regulate the eligibility of expenses and specify which documents—such as proof of economic losses, lease agreements, business numbers, and ear tag numbers—must be submitted. The funds are provided indefinitely, starting from December 15, 2022. This continuous offer contributes to maintaining the balance between species protection and economic viability in the rural areas of Carinthia.