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Study of the perceptions, attitudes and motivations of farmers on the conservation of scavenger vertebrates in the Southern Alps

Dates / Project duration

January 2021 - July 2021 / 7 months

Status

Completed

Location

Southern Alps

Project sponsor(s)

Mathilde Delaup ?

Description

The project led by Mathilde Delaup, as part of her Master's degree in Ethology, Animal and Human Behaviour, aims to assess the difficulties encountered by farmers in order to improve cohabitation with scavengers. The study, supervised by the University of Oviedo, is based on interviews with various stakeholders, most of whom are farmers in the Southern Alps. The study targets nine species of scavengers, including five species of raptors, ravens, wild boars, foxes and wolves. It looks at factors that may influence farmers' perceptions by questioning different aspects of their farming practices and their personal views on certain environmental issues.

Goals

The project aims to gain a better understanding of the conflicts between humans and scavenging animals in the Southern Alps. The main challenge is to take stock of the difficulties encountered by farmers in order to improve cohabitation with scavengers.

Results

Around a hundred interviews

Farmers' perceptions of scavengers are very varied, with two marked opposites: the wolf, which is viewed very negatively, and vulture species, which are seen as useful for livestock farming.

There are differences in the perception of scavenger species (particularly the griffon vulture) between meat and milk producers. Meat producers have a more negative perception. This is due to the different farming practices, in particular because the herds in meat farming are larger and the farmers practise transhumance.

Farmers who implement protection measures have a better perception of scavengers

Drafting of around ten recommendations for farmers (for example: helping farmers to implement protection measures, promoting smaller flocks for closer protection, taking into account the emotional impact of predation events and offering psychological support to farmers after the first attacks, legislating on the possibility of leaving carcasses in the field, informing farmers in areas where vultures are present about the possibility of setting up plots, etc.).

Article by Mathilde Delaup

Study of the perceptions, attitudes and motivations of farmers on the conservation of scavenger vertebrates in the Southern Alps

Description

Photo gallery

Project sponsor(s)

Mathilde Delaup