Bath, AJ and LCIE. Human Dimensions in Wolf Management in Savoie and Des Alpes Maritimes ...

151 Pages·2000·0.35 MB·English

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........................................................ 97
Biological issues ................................................ 98
Mortality ....................................................... 99
Political ........................................................100
Tourism .......................................................101
Hunting ........................................................102
Using CGM to explore key issues by group and province .................103
Using CGM to explore possible solutions .............................106
Some quantitative results from interest groups ...............................110
Implications of findings for future communication efforts .......................118
Key findings ....................................................120
Implications of CGM for communication efforts .........................125
Conclusion ...........................................................126
Appendix 1 ...........................................................128
References ...........................................................142
iv
List of Tables
Table 1: Time Table: A brief history of wolves in France........................3
Table 2: Biophysical Characteristics of Des Alpes-Maritimes and Savoie .........13
Table 3: Populations and Sample Sizes for each Canton in the department
of Alpes-Maritimes, France. Communes found within each Canton
are listed .....................................................20
Table 4: Populations and Sample Sizes for each Canton in the department
of Savoie , France. Communes found within each Canton are listed. .....21
Table 5: Attitudinal and belief items used in HD study .........................26
Table 6: Age .........................................................30
Table 7: Have you ever seen a wolf in captivity? .............................31
Table 8: Have you ever seen a wolf in the wild? .............................31
Table 9: Do you feel concerned by the issue of the management of the return of
the wolf in France and by the management solutions that will
be proposed? .................................................33
Table 10: Will you remain informed of the solutions that will be proposed in
response to the management of the return of the wolf in France with: ....35
Table 11: Would you like to receive more information on the issue of management
of the return of the wolf in France? ................................36
Table 12: Which of the following statements best describes your feeling
toward wolves? ...............................................38
Table 13: The presence of wolves in France is, for you: ........................39
Table 14: The presence of wolves in Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes is, for you: ......40
Table 15: It is important to maintain wolf populations in France for future
generations. ..................................................40
Table 16: It is important to maintain wolf populations in Savoie / Des Alpes
Maritimes for future generations.. .................................42
Table 17: It is important to have viable wolf populations in Savoie/Alpes-Maritimes. . ..42
Table 18: We should assure an abundant population of wolves for future
generations....................................................43
v
Table 19: If I have the opportunity or not to see a wolf, what is important for me is
to know that they exist in Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes.. ...............45
Table 20: It is not necessary to have wolves in Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes
because there are already viable populations in other regions of
Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes.. ...................................46
Table 21: It is not necessary to have wolves in France because there are already
viable populations in other European countries. ......................46
Table 22: Wolves have a considerable impact on large game. ...................47
Table 23: Wolves have a considerable impact on small game. ...................48
Table 24: Wolves reduce populations of moufflons and chamois to unacceptable
levels .......................................................49
Table 25: In Savoie/Alpes-Maritime, we should be authorized to hunt wolves
during the legal hunting season ...................................50
Table 26: In Savois / Des Alpes Maritimes, we should be authorized to hunt
wolves year-round. .............................................51
Table 27: In Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes, wolves should be killed by any
means necessary, including killing pups in their dens or by poisoning. ....51
Table 28: Wolves help maintain an equilibrium among populations of large wild
mammals ...................................................52
Table 29: Wolves should remain completely protected in Savoie/Alpes-Maritimes ...52
Table 30: Wolves should remain completely protected in France. ................54
Table 31: The presence of wolves in Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes favors tourism
in the department. .............................................56
Table 32: Wolf attacks on man are more frequent in regions where wolves live in
close proximity to humans. ......................................57
Table 33: I would be afraid to hike in forests where wolves were present ...........58
Table 34: In your opinion, which of the following animals are most dangerous
to man? .....................................................58
Table 35: Wolves were reintroduced in France. ..............................59
Table 36: Wolves have returned naturally to France via Italy. ....................60
Table 37: At one time, historically, there were wolves in Savoie/Alpes-Maritimes ....62
Table 38: Are wolves protected in France? ..................................63
vi
Table 39: Is it true that generally only two members of the pack
(1 dominant pair) reproduce each year? ............................64
Table 40: What is the success rate for wolves with respect to the capture of
wild prey? ....................................................65
Table 41: In France, what is the average size of a pack of wolves? ...............66
Table 42: In France, what is the average weight of a male adult wolf? .............66
Table 43: Presently in France, how many wolves exist?........................67
Table 44: Presently in Savoie / Alpes-Maritimes, how many wolves exist? .........70
Table 45: The number of wolves in France (population status) is: ................71
Table 46: The number of wolves in Savoie/Alpes-Maritimes (population status) is: ...71
Table 47: I would agree with an increase in the number of wolves in France........72
Table 48: We already have enough wolves in France. .........................73
Table 49: I would agree with an increase in the number of wolves in
Savoie/Alpes-Maritimes .........................................73
Table 50: We already have enough wolves in Savoie / Alpes-Maritimes. ...........74
Table 51: Wolves cause much damage to livestock ..........................75
Table 52: In regions where wolves live in close proximity to livestock,
they feed primarily on domestic animals. ...........................76
Table 53: In your opinion, how many sheep and other domestic animals were
killed by wolves last year in Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes? .............77
Table 54: Wolves attack sheep only if there are not enough wild prey available......79
Table 55: Wolves kill sheep out of cruelty, not for nourishment. ..................80
Table 56: I would agree with killing the wolf or wolves responsible for
attacks on sheep. ..............................................81
Table 57: I would be willing to contribute financially to a compensation
program for livestock owners for their loss of animals due to wolves ......81
Table 58: Livestock owners situated in a zone where wolves are present
should receive a fixed subsidy rather than compensations for occasional
losses caused by wolf attacks. ...................................83
vii
Table 59: Compensations given under attack circumstances should only be
provided to livestock owners who use prevention measures to
avoid wolf attacks (nocturnal regrouping, surveillance by a shepherd,
or by guard dogs) .............................................83
Table 60: Livestock owners who lose animals because of wolf attacks should receive
compensation. ................................................84
Table 61: I would like for my taxes to be used to compensate the damages to
livestock caused by wolves.......................................84
Table 62: The Minister of Agriculture should provide compensations to livestock
owners for damages to livestock caused by wolves. ..................85
Table 63: The Minister of Environment should provide compensations to livestock
owners for damages to livestock caused by wolves. ..................86
Table 64: Livestock owners should be obliged to attain insurance in order to
insure protection against wolf attacks ..............................87
Table 65: The government should pay this insurance on behalf of the livestock
owners.......................................................88
Table 66: A wolf hunt should be authorized in the department of
Savoie / Des Alpes Maritimes ....................................88
Table 67: Interest groups and their corresponding CGM number for matrix
interpretation .................................................90
Table 68: Number of key issues per interest group ............................91
Table 69: Comparisons between Alpes-Maritimes and Savoie interest groups with
respect to key issues ..........................................104
Table 70: Number of solutions proposed by key interest group .................107
viii
Introduction
Wolves were eradicated in France at the beginning of the 20th century as negative
attitudes toward this large carnivore were strong. Such negative attitudes translated
into an aggressive eradication effort targeted at the wolf, a species at that time
perceived by many as a beast of waste and desolation. Support for the eradication
effort was nearly unanimous; public attitudes were negative, partly because of the
lack of knowledge about the species, and partly because of the perceived danger the
animal posed to humans and livestock. The wolf was and still remains a species of
many myths and misinformation. Until recently, questioning whether attitudes
toward wolves in France had changed was irrelevant as there were no wolves in the
country, but today after many years without wolves, France has now seen the return
of the large carnivore, Canis lupus to several of its provinces.
The first wolves were seen in the fall of 1992 in Mercantour National Park by Park
and National Office of Forestry guards while conducting a survey of the park’s
ungulate population. Since 1992, the wolf has expanded its range from Des Alpes
Maritimes to the neighboring provinces of Alpes de Haute, Hautes-Alpes, Var, Isère,
Savoie and Drôme. The estimated population today is approximately 30 individuals,
possibly in five packs.
The wolf is currently legally protected in France through international law, European
law and French law. The wolf is protected under international law, primarily, under
the Bern convention. Specifically, the wolf is protected under the conservation of
wildlife and natural habitats of Europe heading, and notably the articles 6 and 9
reinforced by recommendation 17 (1989) adopted on the 8th of December 1989 by
the permanent committee that studies the application of the Bern convention. In
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