Living with wolves: Lessons learned from Iran

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(5)

Published: March 2, 2022

Abstract Given the complex and dynamic interrelationships of underlying factors contributing to conflicts associated with wolf presence persistence in human‐dominated landscapes, it is often difficult clearly identify ultimate causes these conflicts. In this study, a system dynamics modeling approach was adopted simulate human–wolf an area greatest number recently fatal attacks on humans Iran. Data used build model were obtained from questionnaire surveys satellite tracking wolves. We simulated changes ecological social that may influence under different assumptions. Our findings indicate that, context, proximity wolves human settlements one determining leading increased livestock. When distance between territories increases, likelihood both incidents retaliatory killings are expected decrease. Effective communication information regarding across local communities result positive shift attitudes toward species, as well decrease fear, which turn will affect rate Improper disposal carcasses domestic animals by locals, dumping waste open dumpsites close villages, leaving children unattended agricultural fields increase recurrence strongly urge Hamadan provincial office environment nongovernmental organizations initiate programs raise awareness conflict its mitigation. This includes how properly handle livestock at safe distances settlements. Furthermore, design construction sanitary landfills vicinity each village, providing education use sites could help reduce risky

Language: Английский

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Use of European Funds and Ex Post Evaluation of Prevention Measures against Wolf Attacks (Canis lupus italicus) in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy)

Animals, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(6), P. 1536 - 1536

Published: May 25, 2021

Introduction: Compensation programs are an important tool for mitigating conflicts between farmers and large predators. However, they present significant weaknesses faults. For years, the EU has been prioritizing prevention of damage caused by carnivores, rather than compensation programs, introducing compulsory purposes decision EC (2019) 772 29/01/19. This manuscript reports experience with wolf in Italian region, Emilia-Romagna, which implemented a pilot project, adopting new method to interface involved programs. Methods: Starting 2014, project aimed at spreading measures was financed through regional European resources, accompanied resources sharing technical assistance breeders from body. In detail, (i) standardized types intervention were defined structured; (ii) ex post, effectiveness interventions carried out assessed; (iii) difficulties encountered using various financing instruments analyzed. Results: Overall, 298 farms analyzed, 166 applied calls 132 funds. The mitigation produced reduction predatory phenomena 93.4%, i.e., 528 35 predations over period 4–6 years. study shows that more one-third forced abandon two tenders, mainly due lack liquidity anticipating measures. Conclusion: years examined this study, Emilia-Romagna support offered, proved be functional effective tool, capable significantly reducing predation on livestock. work highlights high percentage denials interested these tools, stressing need agencies focus policies can provide advance economic solve authorization problems related bodies participant tenders must interface.

Language: Английский

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Defining practical and robust study designs for interventions targeted at terrestrial mammalian predators

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(2)

Published: July 7, 2021

Conflicts between humans and mammalian predators are globally widespread increasing, creating a long-lasting challenge for conservation local livelihoods. Protection interventions, which essential to conflict mitigation, should be based on solid evidence of effectiveness produced by robust study designs. Yet, it is unclear what designs have been used in predator-targeted interventions how they can improved provide best practices replications. I examined applications five (before-after, before-after-control-impact, control-impact, crossover [i.e., the same randomly assigned units acting as treatments controls during alternating trials], randomized controlled trial) changed over time these changes related authors, predator species, countries, intervention types (aversion, husbandry, mixed invasive management, lethal control, noninvasive management). applied multinomial regression modeling 434 cases (28 species 45 countries) from 244 studies published 1955 2020. Study design was only type. Less reliable before-after control-impact were most common (47.7% 38.2% cases, respectively), their use increased years did all interventions. The contribution before-after-control-impact (7.4%), trial (5.3%), (1.4%) remained minor time. Crossover suitable aversion, husbandry techniques, few other but also limitations terms applicability. Randomized generally applicable, impractical or inappropriate some appears widely applicable interventions.Definición de los Diseños Prácticos y Robustos para las Intervenciones Enfocadas en Mamíferos Depredadores Terrestres Resumen Los conflictos entre humanos mamíferos depredadores se ubican todo el mundo están aumento, creando un desafío prolongado la conservación sustento local. Las intervenciones protección, que son esenciales mitigación conflictos, deberían basarse evidencias sólidas efectividad producidas por diseños estudios robustos. Aun así, no está claro cuáles estudio han sido utilizados enfocadas cómo pueden mejorarse proporcionar mejores prácticas sus replicaciones. Examiné como aplicaciones cinco (antes-después, control-impacto-antes-después, control-impacto, intervención cruzado [es decir, mismas unidades asignadas al azar actúan tratamiento control durante pruebas alternantes] prueba aleatorio) cambiado con tiempo estos cambios relacionados autores, especies depredadoras, países tipos (aversión, crianza, mixtas, manejo invasivo, letal invasivo). Apliqué modelo regresión casos países) publicados El diseño del sólo estuvo relacionado tipo intervención. más comunes fueron menos confiables: antes-después control-impacto casos, respectivamente). La contribución robustos antes-después-control-impacto aleatorio (5.3%) e cruzadas permaneció escasa tiempo. adecuadas aversión, mayoría técnicas crianza unas cuantas más, pero también tienen mayores limitaciones lo refiere aplicabilidad. tiene una aplicabilidad generalizada, es impráctica o inapropiada algunas intervenciones, mientras parece ser aplicación amplia depredadores.

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Patterns of livestock depredation by snow leopards and effects of intervention strategies: lessons from the Nepalese Himalaya

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(8), P. 719 - 737

Published: May 19, 2022

Context Large carnivores are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, and their protection is among the main goals of biodiversity conservation. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits high-mountain landscapes where livestock depredation drives it into conflicts with local people poses an obstacle for its Aims aim this study was to identify groups most vulnerable depredation, target them in implementation practical interventions, assess effectiveness intervention strategies conflict mitigation. We present a novel attempt evaluate particularly species, age groups, time, seasons. Methods In 2020, we conducted questionnaire surveys two regions Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (Manang, n = 146 respondents Upper Mustang, 183). applied sample comparison testing, Jacobs’ selectivity index, generalised linear models (GLMs) rates spatio-temporal heterogeneity reveal analyse potential effects strategies, husbandry factors relevant depredation. Key results Snow predation major cause mortality both (25.4–39.8%), resulting estimated annual loss 3.2–3.6% all livestock. (e.g. corrals during night-time herding daytime) were inconsistently not associated decreases reported losses. contrast, found some evidence that dogs, deterrents (light, music playing, flapping tape, dung burning), use multiple interventions reduction yaks. Conclusions implications suggest conducting controlled randomised experiments quantitative assessment deterrents, widely applying effective ones communities. This would benefit long-term co-existence leopards humans region beyond.

Language: Английский

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Numbers and presence of guarding dogs affect wolf and leopard predation on livestock in northeastern Iran

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 64, P. 147 - 156

Published: Aug. 7, 2022

Livestock predation can pose socio-economic impacts on rural livelihoods and is the main cause of retaliatory killings carnivores in many countries. Therefore, appropriate interventions to reduce livestock predation, lower conflict promote coexistence are needed. guarding dogs have been traditionally used yet details regarding use dogs, especially number per herd effectively required, rarely studied. In this study, we assessed how presence a losses leopard wolf corrals at night grazing grounds day-time. Using systematic interview surveys (2016-2019), documented sheep/goat attack (predation rates) from 139 shepherds across 32 villages around Golestan National Park, Iran. We analysed effects shepherds, seasons, corral quality, number, dog size, distance reserve rates using generalized linear models. For model, significantly decreased (β = –1.80, 95% confidence interval –2.61 –0.81) during day-time 1.41 individuals attack. attacks night, –0.29, –0.54 –0.04) with increasing numbers. Also, shepherd –0.56, –1.10 –0.10) size –0.36, –0.60 –0.12) reduced rates. –0.93, –1.74 Our study suggests that (1) reduce, but not eliminate, by leopards day-time; (2) every additional dog, wolves likely decrease average 25.2%; (3)

Language: Английский

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