Sharing land with bears: Insights toward effective coexistence
Date
2023
Authors
Glikman, Jenny A.
Frank, Beatrice
D'Amico, Daniela
Boitani, Luigi
Ciucci, Paolo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal for Nature Conservation
Abstract
Cohabiting with large carnivores does not necessarily equate to coexistence. In human-dominated landscapes, an effective coexistence is necessary to ensure long-term viable and sustainable conditions for large carnivores and humans, respectively. To better understand how cohabitation may develop toward coexistence, we used some of the cognitive hierarchy constructs to compare (n = 196 questionnaires) stakeholders’ attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions, and their insights for bear conservation in a historical stronghold of the autochthonous and imperiled Apennine brown bear (central Italy). For all stakeholder groups, responses indicated positive attitudes toward bears, yet the strength of agreement between respondents varied. Specifically, attitudinal differences were from positive (shepherds and hunters) to strongly positive (foresters, rangers and hotel owners). There was a low willingness of hunters and shepherds to modify their practices to reduce potential negative impact on bears’ survival and behavior. By highlighting the disconnection between holding positive attitudes and undertaking positive behaviors, we discuss ways to encourage solid engagement and participatory decision processes for effective coexistence.
Description
We are indebted to Dr. Alistair Bath for his contribution in the designing the questionnaire and supporting the leading author in writing the official report for the project. We would like to thank the park rangers (GP), the forest guards (CFS), the hotel owners (HO), shepherds and hunters who answered the questionnaire for this study. We are grateful to the Scientific Service of the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park for their logistic support. We are thankful to the reviewers.
Keywords
Attitudes, Brown bear, Human-wildlife conflict, Italy, National park, Stakeholders
Citation
Glikman, J. A., Frank, B., D'Amico, D., Boitani, L., & Ciucci, P. (2023). Sharing land with bears: Insights toward effective coexistence. Journal for Nature Conservation, 74, 126421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126421