Conservation Biology · 2003 · 1.6K citations · 56 references
Natural ResourcesConservation BiologyEnvironmental ManagementPolitical EcologySpecies ConservationWildlife ManagementEndangered Species ManagementHuman-wildlife ConflictHuman-wildlife Conflict PolicyHuman-wildlife InteractionsWildlife ConservationWildlife Population ManagementAdaptive Wildlife ManagementCarnivore ConflictCarnivore Population ManagementHuman Population EcologyHuman-predator RelationsHuman-wildlife CoexistenceSociopolitical ContextWildlife Management Conflicts
Carnivore conservation hinges on sociopolitical dynamics, with attitudes shifting from fear‑based, economically narrow goals to ecosystem‑function and adaptive management, and nonlethal approaches gaining favor. The study seeks to modify human and domestic animal interactions with carnivores so that carnivore populations can persist for decades despite human population growth and habitat change.
Abstract: Carnivore conservation depends on the sociopolitical landscape as much as the biological landscape. Changing political attitudes and views of nature have shifted the goals of carnivore management from those based on fear and narrow economic interests to those based on a better understanding of ecosystem function and adaptive management. In parallel, aesthetic and scientific arguments against lethal control techniques are encouraging the development of nonlethal approaches to carnivore management. We anticipate greater success in modifying the manner and frequency with which the activities of humans and domestic animals intersect with those of carnivores. Success should permit carnivore populations to persist for decades despite human population growth and modification of habitat.
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