Conflict Misleads Large Carnivore Management and Conservation: Brown Bears and Wolves in Spain

摘要: Large carnivores inhabiting human-dominated landscapes often interact with people and their properties, leading to conflict scenarios that can mislead carnivore management and, ultimately, jeopardize conservation. In northwest Spain, brown bears Ursus arctos are strictly protected, whereas sympatric wolves Canis lupus subject lethal control. We explored ecological, economic societal components of involving large damages human properties. analyzed the relation between complaints depredations by on beehives livestock, respectively, bear wolf abundance, livestock heads, number culled wolves, amount paid compensations, media coverage. also evaluated efficiency culling reduce livestock. Bear correlated positively female cubs year. Complaints predation were unrelated numbers; instead, they wild ungulates harvested during previous season, packs, season. Compensations for fivefold higher than bears, but coverage was thirtyfold higher. Media actual costs damages, news culling. However, followed an increase in compensated damages. Our results show population failed its goal reducing suggest decisions at least partly mediated press our provide insight similar scenarios, where several species share landscape humans, may be reactive perceived conflicts.