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Researchers at the University of York have presented findings indicating that the term “local people,” often used in policies addressing large carnivore management, lacks precision compared to well-defined Indigenous groups. This ambiguity may hinder effective incorporation of local knowledge into wildlife management strategies.
This study arrives just before the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference set to take place in Rome from February 25 to 27. The insights gained from this research are poised to influence future dialogues on large carnivore coexistence. Details of the study are available in the journal People and Nature.
While many communities welcome the resurgence of large carnivores, rising encounters with livestock, pets, and, in some instances, humans have spurred significant conflicts about management practices for both the present and the future.
Negotiating Protection Status
Current debates surrounding species protection and restoration plans across the EU have intensified, particularly as discussions regarding the protection status of wolves coincide with numerous rewilding initiatives and policies.
Dr. Hanna Pettersson from the University of York’s Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity emphasized, “Our paper aids in the strategic planning and engagement of communities. We advocate for enhanced recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as vital stewards of biodiversity, as their specific knowledge is frequently overlooked.”
“Understanding who qualifies as ‘local’ in pastoral areas of Europe is essential, as is defining ‘local knowledge’ and its potential contributions to effective carnivore management,” Dr. Pettersson noted. “Unfortunately, policies continue to rely on information primarily from natural scientists and conservationists, often sidelining insights provided by pastoralists and traditional resource users.”
Strategic Conservation Planning
To address these issues, the researchers suggest a “spacing” approach to conservation, which involves creating networks of established practitioners dedicated to coordinating local knowledge and developing adaptive strategies for coexistence with large carnivores.
The Global Biodiversity Framework, finalized in Montreal in 2022, aims for a future where humans coexist peacefully with nature by 2050. One of its targets emphasizes managing human-wildlife conflicts and acknowledges the role of “Indigenous Peoples and local communities” in conservation efforts.
This framework is especially relevant in Europe, where the populations of large carnivores continue to grow, aided by stricter conservation laws, changes in land use, and an increase in rewilding projects throughout the continent.
Enhancing Management Outcomes
Dr. Pettersson remarked, “Policy makers often suggest that shepherds revert to traditional methods employed by their ancestors to safeguard against carnivore attacks. However, many of these techniques may not be applicable in today’s world.”
“Incorporating local knowledge into carnivore management requires more than just referencing ancient prevention techniques; it necessitates a comprehensive approach that blends various knowledge systems—both contemporary and historical—to achieve improved outcomes for both communities and wildlife.”
More information: Hanna Pettersson et al., “Who is local and what do they know? Braiding knowledges within carnivore management in Europe,” People and Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10797
Source
phys.org