A frame-analytical perspective on conflict between people and an expanding wolf Canis lupus population in central Italy

Abstract

Attempts to mitigate conflict between wolves and livestock breeding in the Mugello area of central Italy have so far proven to be costly, resource-intensive and fraught with tension. I applied frame analysis as a tool for investigating the roots of such tensions. The frameanalytical perspective highlighted that, while current policy focuses on improving technical approaches, conflict is also fuelled by a discrepancy in the frames of meaning that groups of stakeholders construct around the issue of wolf management. I outline two discordant frames: a dominant valuable wolf frame, currently underlying policy, and a political wolf frame that challenges existing management aims. Barriers to communication and potential points of mediation are identified. In addition, I outline a third, problematic wolf frame that may act as a potential aid in the process of bridging the two discordant frames, which is identified as a condition for successful wolf management.

Factors governing human fear of wolves: moderating effects of geographical location and standpoint on protected nature

“…More than 80 % of the farmers distrusted the official numbers of carnivore numbers, suspecting them of being too low and manipulated by the environmental authorities. In a frame analysis in Italy, Vitali (2014) reported that the perspectives of administrators and policy-makers, on the intrinsic value of the wolf, permeated the dominating frame, while the competing frame, confined largely to rural respondents, claimed that human activities should be the first priority within conservation policy. It has been suggested that the relationship between Scandinavians who live in large-carnivore areas and the managing authorities may be inflated by diverging values related to protection of nature corresponding to a utilitarian/ mutualist divide or a more anthropocentric vs ecocentric or biocentric view on nature Heberlein 2003a, 2003b;Skogen and Krange 2003;Skogen and Thrane 2007;Skogen et al 2008;Blekesaune and Rønningen 2010).…”

Rurality and Collective Attitude Effects on Wolf Policy

“…Consequently, how policies and institutions are designed to guide governance and management is key to the future development of the wolf as a species. This fact emphasizes the need for an increased understanding of the interaction between social and ecological change, and public attitudes towards wolf policy, in order to develop policies and methods of wolf conservation that are perceived as legitimate [2,3].…”

Occurrence of Clostridium spp. in ewe’s milk: enumeration and identification of isolates

“…In particular, the increasing number of wolves (Canis lupus) in central Italy (Bassi et al 2015b;Vitali 2014) has led to an increase in semi-extensive farming, with an increased use of fenced pastures and housing facilities, which promote the spread and concentration of environmental spores, especially when the bedding is not managed appropriately. In this regard, in some areas of Spain and France, a ewe's milk quality payment system has been adopted in order to promote farm management practices that are effective in reducing the clostridial spores load of the milk.…”