Conflicts and Compromises in Lynx Lynx lynx Conservation and Management in Finland

Abstract

Contradictory attitudes towards lynx Lynx lynx management in Finland have emerged as a consequence of rapid growth of the lynx population together with the strict protection and conservation objectives determined by the European Union. In this study, conducted during 2004–2005, we examined local people's and stakeholders' opinions about lynx management through a nationwide survey. We also assessed local people's opinions through comments expressed at public meetings, which were recorded, transcribed and analysed. In general, lynx were seen as an important part of Finnish nature and its biodiversity, but it was also seen as a detriment to sustaining game populations. Hunters who manage roe deer Capreolus capreolus or white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus or hare Lepus spp. populations were especially negative. Hunting and improved public awareness were considered the most effective methods to increase people's tolerance towards lynx and the damage they might cause. Stakeholders were interested in development of the existing damage compensation system and clear rules concerning management of problem individuals. In contrast to hunters, conservationists emphasised the conservation status of lynx and rejected the idea of population regulation through hunting. Many aspects of management were accepted by all stakeholders; other aspects were more controversial. To resolve the conflict between stakeholders regarding lynx management, compromise and cooperation will be required from stakeholders holding conflicting views. This may aid lynx management and also the conservation of the species in Finland in the future.

Knowledge and Perceptions of Macedonian Hunters and Herders: The Influence of Species Specific Ecology of Bears, Wolves, and Lynx

“…Huber et al 2008;Liukkonen et al 2009). The approaches adopted in this study complement these quantitative approaches in two ways.…”

Fear of the unknown: local knowledge and perceptions of the Eurasian lynxLynx lynxin western Macedonia

“…Despite extensive contemporary and historical documentation of attacks on humans by large carnivores (Löe & Røskaft, 2004) there are no reports of fatal lynx attacks from Europe. Widespread fear of lynx was also reported in Bath et al’s (2008) study in Poland but in studies in Norway and Finland (Røskaft et al, 2003, 2007; Liukkonen et al, 2009) it was evident that the fear of lynx was much less than that of wolves or bears. The fear in Macedonia and Poland may result from the low level of interactions that occur, caused by the natural shyness of the lynx, its low density in the region, and the fact that it is not actively pursued as a game species.…”

Time series analysis reveals synchrony and asynchrony between conflict management effort and increasing large grazing bird populations in northern Europe

“…Observed inconsistencies may arise as a result of competing interests influencing the decision‐making process. This may result in compromises that, although conducive to the attenuation of social conflicts (Liukkonen, Mykrä, Bisi, & Kurki, ), lead to suboptimal changes in management. Conflicts may also arise from inconsistent changes in management effort relative to the perception of how a population and the resulting agricultural damages are changing in the short term (Eriksson, Sandström, & Ericsson, ).…”