(Co)producing landscapes of coexistence: A historical political ecology of human-wolf relations in Italy

Geoforum, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 149, P. 103958 - 103958

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

There is increasing interest in human-wildlife coexistence. In Europe, coexistence with expanding large carnivore populations a pressing issue. Seeking to inform contemporary management an historical perspective, this study investigates the formation of human-wolf relations Italy during critical periods wolf decline (since nineteenth century) and comeback closing decades twentieth century). Specifically, adopts 'more-than-human political ecology' approach, focused on exploring entangled influence non-human agency wider economies (co)production relations. Such analysis used fill knowledge gaps these key events management, which are currently explained from either more rigid structural angle or depoliticised lenses. The analyses bring together pivotal work Italian historians scholars topics capitalist development ecology, ethology Italy. This highlights how onset capitalism around end 1700s inadvertently affected rise particularly problematic behaviours that period, were turn managed through intensification persecution. Wolves co-shaped need desire for their conservation near 1900s, alongside postmodern regime promoted return wolves period. (re)alignment logics, however, displaced costs wolf's onto local communities, exacerbating conflict. comes two main implications: first, it problematises fixed representations non-humans, highlighting instead adaptive capacities alterity; second, further conceives non-humans as constant co-becoming human practices economies, emphasising change conviviality. These may Europe beyond, well other contexts

Language: Английский

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Free‐ranging cattle and the return of the wolf: behavioral responses and implications for conservation management

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(6)

Published: March 22, 2024

Over the last decades, wolves have considerably expanded their distribution in Europe. Their range expansion even led to recolonizing densely human‐populated countries such as Belgium and Netherlands. The few available studies on effects of returning these landscapes focus primarily behavioral responses wild ungulates, deer. While livestock intensive farming practices can be protected against wolves, free‐ranging cattle nature areas often protect themselves. How respond returned is thus far unclear, yet highly relevant for conservation management. There very little information about how re‐appearance terms anti‐predator behavior ability defend In June 2022, a newly established wolf pair was located natural area Drenthe. This grazed year‐round by Galloway cattle, small hornless primitive breed commonly used Here, we reported herd following two attacks that occurred at nighttime April 2023, first caught wildlife cameras During events, Galloways showed clear response: they became active, restless vigilant, grouping behavior, presumably calves. Chasing towards attacking exhibited some individuals. did not result killed or injured cattle. These well‐documented wolf–cattle interactions show promising highlight behaviors from an unexperienced breed, all within year wolves' return. We broadly discuss relevance findings grazing management, including selection breeds, behaviors, impact structure size, provide avenues future research address current knowledge gaps.

Language: Английский

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Land of wolves, school of shepherds: the importance of pastoral knowledge on co-existence with large carnivores

Ecosystems and People, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

The wolf (Canis lupus) is recovering and recolonizing its historic range in Europe. In places where wolves have long been absent, their recent recolonization could potentially provoke extensive livestock farmers' opposition. To understand the conditions for grazing-wolf co-existence, we conducted interviews with farmers shepherds to compare three Spanish regions different presence states: uninterrupted presence, sporadic presence. Our results show importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) reducing conflict enabling co-existence. areas were extinct recently recolonized, loss TEK has led less both tolerance awareness benefits they provide. Conversely, uninterrupted, maintaining associated management, such as use mastiff dogs shepherd's role, favored co-existence grazing systems wolves. findings important implications EU Common Agricultural Policy by highlighting urgent need integrate close link between large carnivores. Furthermore, Nature Restoration Law reinforce these same approaches.

Language: Английский

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Are Wolves the Real Problem? Challenges Faced by Livestock Farmers Living Alongside Wolves in Northwestern Greece

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 1083 - 1083

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Mitigating human–wolf conflict is crucial, yet conventional approaches often overlook the broader socioeconomic challenges faced by farming communities. Wolves frequently become scapegoats for deeper rooted issues such as economic disadvantages, policy deficiencies, and rural depopulation. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 118 livestock farmers to examine (a) farmer profiles wolf-related interactions, (b) professional proposed solutions, (c) reasons perceiving wolves a major problem, (d) impact of wolf presence on job dissatisfaction. Farmers reported low specialized education satisfaction, particularly regarding income. Many struggled afford or find shepherds, especially sheep/goat farmers. Guardian dog poisoning incidents dissatisfaction damage compensation system were prevalent. Key included marginalization, presence, climatic factors, inadequate grazing policies, infrastructure deficits, distrust in policy, depopulation, lack services. who perceived problem implemented weaker preventive measures moved herds seasonally over longer distances. Job was linked type, marginalization. Our findings emphasize that while farmers, policy-related factors play greater role. Educational initiatives, supportive effective depredation mitigation, fair systems are essential sustainable coexistence wolves. By tackling challenges, enhancing supporting adapt evolving circumstances, sector can thrive minimizing conflicts associated

Language: Английский

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Management of Coexistence and Conflicts Between Humans and Macaques in Japan

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 888 - 888

Published: March 20, 2025

Conflicts between humans and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) have intensified due to urban agricultural expansion, reducing natural habitats pushing into human settlements. This review examines strategies for managing human–macaque coexistence in Japan. Since the 1970s, urbanisation deforestation led increased macaque migration populated areas, resulting property damage, crop loss, and, some cases, aggressive encounters. The growing population underscores urgency of effective management programmes. Strategies include preventive measures, such as weeding limit food sources, habitat modification, community-based interventions reduce attractants. Non-lethal deterrents, including visual auditory scare tactics, trained guard animals, electric fences, been implemented discourage from entering spaces. Physical barriers, fences buffer zones, provide long-term mitigation but require maintenance community cooperation. Fertility control, sterilisation hormonal contraception, offers a solution presents logistical challenges. Lethal control capture-relocation, though controversial, remain options particularly problematic individuals. Additionally, integrating One Health Conservation approaches allows holistic strategy that considers disease risks, ecological balance, ethical implications. A balanced plan incorporates multiple strategies, participation, continuous monitoring is crucial mitigating conflicts fostering sustainable macaques.

Language: Английский

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Environmental factors influencing the odds of livestock predations by wolves in North–Eastern Italy across 10 years: a network analysis approach

Italian Journal of Animal Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 24(1), P. 842 - 858

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Low contribution of livestock in the grey wolf diet in the area with high availability of free-ranging cattle and horses

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 71(3)

Published: April 26, 2025

Language: Английский

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Poisoned baits drive record golden eagle mortality in northern Greece: A call for urgent conservation actions

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 308, P. 111223 - 111223

Published: May 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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Dogs for Herding and Guarding Livestock

CABI eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 296 - 313

Published: Nov. 30, 2024

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