Advancing genetic monitoring across borders

Tomaž Skrbinšek presented the innovative talk “Towards transboundary genetic monitoring of wolves”, where he introduced a new online platform designed to centralize and harmonize wolf genetic data across countries and labs. This system enables standardized uploads and downloads of genetic data and metadata, automatic checks for quality and compliance, and a dynamic pedigree reconstruction engine. The platform aims to support multi-country monitoring with transparent and reproducible analysis, making it an invaluable tool for EU-level conservation planning .

Tackling hybridization threats in Europe

Astrid Vik Stronen gave two key contributions on the complex topic of wolf-dog hybridization. In her talk “Wolf-dog hybridization and introgression in and around Dalmatia, Croatia”, she presented new evidence that free-ranging dogs in the region may be mating with wolves, posing a risk to the genetic integrity of local wolf populations. Her findings suggest that some samples collected as dogs may actually contain wolf ancestry, emphasizing the need for careful assessment and targeted management .

Additionally, Astrid co-led the expert workshop “Wolf-dog hybridization in Europe: definition and assessment”. This session brought together researchers to align on terminology, sampling methods, and genetic markers used to identify hybrids — an essential step toward consistent hybrid detection and policy response across European countries.

Visualizing lineages to understand populations

Gregor Simčič presented a data-driven talk titled “Visualization and exploration of complex multi-generational pedigrees”. This presentation focused on our visualization tool that simplifies the interpretation of vast genetic datasets used to monitor wolf populations. The tool enables users to trace familial lineages across multiple generations and countries, helping identify dispersal events, reproductive success, and genetic bottlenecks. This kind of transparent data interpretation is essential for making informed decisions in real-world management contexts. The tool is available as an R package for anyone to use free of charge.

Engaging with the conservation community

Throughout the conference, the DivjaLabs stand has become a hub for discussions on genetic monitoring, data integration, and real-world applications of advanced genetic and bioinformatic tools. Our team members have engaged with conservationists, researchers, and policy-makers, sharing not just tools but also insights from ongoing projects across Europe.

From the spirited scientific sessions to the informal “poster borrel” evenings, we’ve been thrilled to connect with like-minded professionals committed to the conservation of large carnivores through science and collaboration.

The return of wolves to many parts of Europe is both a conservation success and a management challenge. By offering innovative, accessible tools for genetic monitoring and data sharing, DivjaLabs is helping conservationists and decision-makers respond with greater precision and unity.

We’re honoured to contribute to this vibrant community and look forward to future collaborations born from conversations and connections at Wolves Across Borders 2025.

For more information check the conference website or download conference program with abstracts.