Challenges for recovery of large carnivores in humanized countries: attitudes and knowledge of sheep farmers towards brown bear in Western Pyrenees, Spain

• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01545-8
• Publication Date: 2021-11-22T13:02:45Z
• Authors: Juan Herrero; Alicia García-Ser...; Ramón Reiné; Vicente Ferrer; Ricardo Azón; José Vicente Lópe...; Guillermo Palomero
• Keywords: Animal Husbandry; Vigilance (psychology)

Abstract During 2017, we studied knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards brown bears by extensive mountain sheep farmers in the Western Pyrenees, using a structured questionnaire, specifically, whether scarce bear presence, or administrative region, was influential. Livestock raising practices are mainly family properties have suffered strong decline last decades. Despite its low abundance (only 2 individuals during study period area), there generalized negative attitude presence of bears. Farmers considered as incompatible with herding. One third them experienced damages, although this not main difficulty for viability farming practices. They were able to change husbandry after wildlife dog’s increasing vigilance, hiring shepherds, livestock guarding dogs, whose work is perceived satisfactory. that information available about compensation systems damages insufficient, should be improved.