"We are at a crucial time in history, " said William Pratesi, coordinator for the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe.

CNN: Group mounts image makeover for endangered carnivores

The Campaign for Europe's Carnivores will benefit projects such as the Carpathian Large Carnivore project in Romania, home to dense populations of wolves, bears and Eurasian lynxes that live in close proximity to large numbers of people and sheep.

CNN: Group mounts image makeover for endangered carnivores