Bath, A. J. and LCIE. Human Dimensions in Wolf Management in Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes, France. Bath, A. J. 1-133. 2000. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Dep
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Bath, A. J. and LCIE. Human Dimensions in Wolf Management in Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes, France. Bath, A. J. 1-133. 2000. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Dep. of Geography, St. John's, Nfld, Canada, France LIFE-Nature Project "Le retour du loup dans les Alpes Françaises" and the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE). Keywords: 8FR/acceptance of predators/Alps/Canis lupus/Carnivora/communication/ human/human dimension/Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe/Malme/management policy/predator-human conflict/public attitude/public awareness/public education/public involvement/Savoie/Wolf/wolves Abstract: This report examines public attitudes toward and beliefs about wolves and wolf management in two provinces in France: Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes. This report presents results that address overall attitudes toward wolves, attitudes toward hunting wolves and other management options, attitudes toward wolf-livestock conflicts, beliefs about wolves and their impacts, public knowledge about wolf biology, the nature of conflicts, personal experience with wolves, and socio-demographic characteristics. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from November 1999 to March 2000. Residents of Savoie (n=403) and Des Alpes Maritimes (n=397) were randomly selected proportional to population (omitting the large urban centers) and interviewed using a quantitative research instrument consisting of 69 items. While Savoie residents held more positive attitudes toward wolves than Des Alpes Maritimes residents, both believed it was important to maintain wolf populations in France for future generations. In Savoie 54% of residents agreed or strongly agreed with maintaining wolf populations in France for future generations, 33% disagreed or strongly disagreed, and 13% were neutral. In Des Alpes Maritimes 45% of residents supported the statement, 42% opposed, and 13% were neutral. Human Dimensions in Wolf Management in Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes, France Results targeted toward designing a more effective communication campaign and building better public awareness materials August 2000 Report produced by: Dr. Alistair Bath, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Department of Geography, St. John's, Nfld, Canada. A1B 3X9 Funding provided through the France LIFE-Nature Project Le Retour Du Loup Dans Les Alpes Françaises and the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCI) Executive Summary Human Dimensions in Wolf Management in Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes, France: Results targeted toward designing a more effective communication campaign and building better public awareness materials § Understanding and addressing wolf management in France requires an understanding of the human dimension of the wolf management equation; the issue is more socio- political in nature than biological. § This report examines public attitudes toward and beliefs about wolves and wolf management in two provinces in France: Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes. This report presents results that address overall attitudes toward wolves, attitudes toward hunting wolves and other management options, attitudes toward wolf-livestock conflicts, beliefs about wolves and their impacts, public knowledge about wolf biology, the nature of conflicts, personal experience with wolves, and socio-demographic characteristics. § The overall purpose of the study is to establish a baseline assessment of public attitudes toward and beliefs about wolves and will allow for a later assessment of possible attitude and belief change after the implementation of a communication and public awareness campaign. By understanding the variables influencing attitudes, the communication and awareness campaign can design specific types of messages for particular target audiences. § Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from November 1999 to March 2000. Residents of Savoie (n=403) and Des Alpes Maritimes (n=397) were randomly selected proportional to population (omitting the large urban centers) and interviewed using a quantitative research instrument consisting of 69 items. Smaller samples of hunters from Savoie (n=22), environmental group members from Savoie (n=88) and Des Alpes Maritimes (n=86), and students (ages 13-16) from Des Alpes Maritimes (n=95) were also administered the quantitative questionnaire. § Qualitative interviews occurred with 23 different interest groups from the two provinces. The purpose of these interviews was to construct a common ground matrix (CGM) and thus identify key issues, possible solutions, and build trust and a willingness to work together between the interest groups. § While Savoie residents held more positive attitudes toward wolves than Des Alpes Maritimes residents, both believed it was important to maintain wolf populations in France for future generations. In Savoie 54% of residents agreed or strongly agreed with maintaining wolf populations in France for future generations, 33% disagreed or strongly disagreed, and 13% were neutral. In Des Alpes Maritimes 45% of residents supported the statement, 42% opposed, and 13% were neutral. § Most Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes residents believe wolves would cause a significant impact on large and small game animals, and yet, most residents in both provinces oppose any form of hunting of wolves. This being said, residents do appear to be sensitive to livestock concerns and entertain some form of management if necessary. § Most residents believe farmers should be paid compensation for losses due to wolves, but stated clearly that only those farmers who used preventative measures against wolves should receive this compensation thus indicating that residents in both provinces want to see coexistence of wolves and people. § Knowledge about wolves remains low with all interest groups and the general public in both provinces. Most respondents overestimated the total number of wolves in France considerably often believing there were hundreds of wolves present. What makes this finding even more interesting is that even with beliefs of many more wolves than actually exist, there is still support for the conservation of the species within France by most respondents. § Many residents and members of interest groups also still have a strong fear of the animal indicating they would be afraid to hike in the woods if wolves were present. This is interesting given that 17% of Des Alpes Maritimes residents and nearly 9% of Savoie residents claim they have seen a wild wolf; percentages that appear high given the small numbers of wolves in France. § Residents of Des Alpes Maritimes indicated a much stronger interest in the issue of wolves and wolf management in France, a much stronger interest in learning more about wolves, and believed the issue was more important than their Savoie counterparts believed. § Results from the common ground matrix (CGM) indicated that the most important issues for the interest groups were: livestock depredation issues, maintaining a pastoral lifestyle, and identifying and implementing livestock protection measures. Livestock protection measures were also mentioned as one of the most common solutions. § All interest groups expressed a willingness to share information and continue to work together to better understand and address the issues facing wolves and wolf management in France. Keeping open lines of communication will be important to gain trust from interest groups. Mistrust exists within the general public and interest groups; for example, most respondents do believe that wolves were actively reintroduced into the country. § Results from the small sample of students suggest that while many are positive toward wolves, a large percentage of students remain neutral toward wolves. This group could be influenced by targeted communication messages as they form their attitudes toward wolves. § This report presents the results of this first quantitative assessment of attitudes and beliefs toward wolves in France. A second report will be produced to assess whether attitudes and beliefs change after implementation of the targeted communication effort. Such a pre and post design will be one of the first implemented anywhere in Europe on large carnivores. Dr. Alistair Bath, Dept. of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NF, Canada, A1B 3X9 Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................1 Nature of human dimensions research .......................................7 Characteristics of the study area ...........................................11 Methodology ...........................................................15 Qualitative issues .................................................15 Quantitative issues ................................................18 Results ...............................................................29 About the sample .................................................29 Attitudes toward the wolf ...........................................37 Attitudes toward hunting-related issues ................................47 Underlying beliefs about wolves and their impact ........................54 Understanding biological facts and the nature of conflict ..................60 Beliefs about wolf-livestock issues ...................................74 Qualitative results based on the Common Ground Matrix (CGM) ............89 Agricultural issues ................................................94 Communication ..................................................95 Mistrust .......................................................