130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

y specific special interest groups in direct conflict
with wildlife, e.g. hunters and farmers, and are not
a reflection of attitudes of rural populations as a
whole. For example, hunters of wolf prey showed
more negative attitude towards predators such as
wolves than the non-hunting public [151] .
Since wildlife comeback is a relatively recent
phenomenon in Europe, it is important to learn
from experiences around the world on how to
create participatory approaches. In the cases
of large predators, empowerment of the local
community to deal with wildlife conflict directly
is vital. For example, prior to wolf reintroduction
in northwestern USA, empowerment of local
landowners and livestock producers was achieved
by legalising active management of problem
wolves, including harassment and shooting on
sight of wolves attacking livestock on private
land [154] . Finding consensus and acceptance of
methods to limit human-wildlife conflict is vital
in order to avoid wildlife losses through illegal
control via poaching and poisoning which has
been highlighted as a particular problem to
mammalian carnivores [103] and raptors, such as
vultures, eagles and the Red kite [155, 156] . However,
in most cases, the costs of non-lethal control
methods are directly borne by the livestock or
crop producers [137] , making it even more important
that these stakeholders are actively involved in
the management process and reap the benefits of
returning wildlife [137] .
Similarly, participatory approaches dealing
with species of conservation concern provide
interesting lessons to ensure local participation in
mitigating potentially negative interactions with
wildlife. For example, in Kenya, the Living with
Lions project and local communities developed
the Lion Guardians program (www.lionguardians.
org), in collaboration with the Maasailand Preservation
Trust in order to curb the increasing levels
of African lion (Panthera leo) killings [157] . The
project blends the demands of wildlife conservation
with those of local culture, drawing on the
complex relationship between Maasai and lions.
Duties of lion guardians include monitoring of
lion movements to warn pastoralists when lions
are in the area, recovery of lost livestock, and
intervention to stop lion hunting in the communities
[158] . Drawing on the cultural importance
of many of our European species, such as the
Grey wolf, can help to develop approaches which
combine inherent wildlife values with cultural
values, thus finding common ground between
wildlife and human needs.
Wild boar family
in central Berlin,
Germany. Berlin city
has about 4,000 wild
boar living within the
city limits.
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