Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia
Abstract Conflicts with human interests have reappeared following recovery of large carnivores in Europe. Public acceptance is higher than historically but there is a need to identify effective, acceptable techniques to facilitate coexistence. We present a case study of predation on livestock in Slo...
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0030605310000074 2024-09-15T18:01:22+00:00 Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia Rigg, Robin Finďo, Slavomír Wechselberger, Maria Gorman, Martyn L. Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio Macdonald, David W. 2011 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000074 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0030605310000074 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms Oryx volume 45, issue 2, page 272-280 ISSN 0030-6053 1365-3008 journal-article 2011 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000074 2024-09-04T04:01:19Z Abstract Conflicts with human interests have reappeared following recovery of large carnivores in Europe. Public acceptance is higher than historically but there is a need to identify effective, acceptable techniques to facilitate coexistence. We present a case study of predation on livestock in Slovakia. Damage, mitigation measures and public opinion were assessed using compensation records, analysis of farm conditions, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, diet analysis and on-farm trials of livestock-guarding dogs. Economic damage was inconsequential on a national scale but high locally: c. 80% of reported losses occurred at 12% of sheep flocks. Grey wolves Canis lupus were held responsible for four to six times more damage than brown bears Ursus arctos , although livestock occurred in only 2 of 78 wolf faeces during spring–autumn, when sheep and cattle were most vulnerable. Losses to Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx were negligible. Compared to other sectors of society shepherds had the most negative attitudes, particularly towards wolves, despite compensation payments. Appropriate use of livestock-guarding dogs was associated with fewer losses: median loss at trial flocks with predation was 70% lower than at control flocks. We conclude that identifying vulnerable farms and targeting them for mitigation could reduce damage, although lack of motivation and awareness are obstacles. This study shows that damage levels need not be excessive despite high predator densities in human-dominated landscapes. Conflicts were unevenly distributed, with much of the variation explained by local conditions and husbandry practices, especially preventive measures. Livestock-guarding dogs are particularly appropriate where wolves are present in proximity to unfenced pastures. Article in Journal/Newspaper Canis lupus Ursus arctos Lynx Lynx lynx lynx Cambridge University Press Oryx 45 2 272 280 |
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Open Polar |
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Cambridge University Press |
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English |
description |
Abstract Conflicts with human interests have reappeared following recovery of large carnivores in Europe. Public acceptance is higher than historically but there is a need to identify effective, acceptable techniques to facilitate coexistence. We present a case study of predation on livestock in Slovakia. Damage, mitigation measures and public opinion were assessed using compensation records, analysis of farm conditions, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, diet analysis and on-farm trials of livestock-guarding dogs. Economic damage was inconsequential on a national scale but high locally: c. 80% of reported losses occurred at 12% of sheep flocks. Grey wolves Canis lupus were held responsible for four to six times more damage than brown bears Ursus arctos , although livestock occurred in only 2 of 78 wolf faeces during spring–autumn, when sheep and cattle were most vulnerable. Losses to Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx were negligible. Compared to other sectors of society shepherds had the most negative attitudes, particularly towards wolves, despite compensation payments. Appropriate use of livestock-guarding dogs was associated with fewer losses: median loss at trial flocks with predation was 70% lower than at control flocks. We conclude that identifying vulnerable farms and targeting them for mitigation could reduce damage, although lack of motivation and awareness are obstacles. This study shows that damage levels need not be excessive despite high predator densities in human-dominated landscapes. Conflicts were unevenly distributed, with much of the variation explained by local conditions and husbandry practices, especially preventive measures. Livestock-guarding dogs are particularly appropriate where wolves are present in proximity to unfenced pastures. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Rigg, Robin Finďo, Slavomír Wechselberger, Maria Gorman, Martyn L. Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio Macdonald, David W. |
spellingShingle |
Rigg, Robin Finďo, Slavomír Wechselberger, Maria Gorman, Martyn L. Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio Macdonald, David W. Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
author_facet |
Rigg, Robin Finďo, Slavomír Wechselberger, Maria Gorman, Martyn L. Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio Macdonald, David W. |
author_sort |
Rigg, Robin |
title |
Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
title_short |
Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
title_full |
Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
title_fullStr |
Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in Europe: lessons from Slovakia |
title_sort |
mitigating carnivore–livestock conflict in europe: lessons from slovakia |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000074 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0030605310000074 |
genre |
Canis lupus Ursus arctos Lynx Lynx lynx lynx |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus Ursus arctos Lynx Lynx lynx lynx |
op_source |
Oryx volume 45, issue 2, page 272-280 ISSN 0030-6053 1365-3008 |
op_rights |
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000074 |
container_title |
Oryx |
container_volume |
45 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
272 |
op_container_end_page |
280 |
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1810438519808589824 |