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

Abstract

A l e k s a n d a r S t o j a n o v , G j o r g e I v a n o v , V a s k o A v u k a t o v M a n u e l a V O N A R X and U r s B r e i t e n m o s e r Abstract The remnant population of Balkan lynx Lynx lynx martinoi is small, isolated and highly threatened. Since 2006 a conservation project has surveyed its status and promoted its recovery in Albania and Macedonia. Eurasian lynx are often associated with conflicts of an economic or social nature, and their conservation requires a focus on the people sharing the landscape with the species. In this study we adopt methods and conceptual frameworks from anthropology to explore the local knowledge and perceptions of lynx among rural hunters and livestock breeders in the western mountains of the Republic of Macedonia in south-east Europe. The main finding was that local people rarely saw or interacted with lynx. As the level of interactions with this species is very low, the lynx doesn't appear to be a species associated with conflicts in Macedonia. There was also a general lack of both scientific and local knowledge, which has led to somewhat negative attitudes, mainly based on myths and rumours. Poaching of lynx and their prey seem to be the main barriers to lynx conservation.

Analysing stakeholders’ perceptions of wolf, lynx and fox in a Dutch riverine area

“…Wolves and lynx do not live in the study area but may (re)colonize the area in the near future. The general public in Europe has little basic knowledge of the wolf's biology and even less of that of the lynx (Bath et al 2008;Lescureux et al 2011). In contrast to the wolf, which still features (usually negatively) in fairy tales and stories, many people are not even aware of the existence of the lynx as a species indigenous to Europe.…”

“…Fourthly, familiarity in general influences perception: for instance, being unfamiliar with the lynx negatively affects the perception of this animal (Lescureux et al 2011). Finally, people with more interest in nature or a more positive perception of nature tend to have a more positive perception of lynx and wolves (Røskaft et al 2007).…”

“…Citizens in rural areas are more likely to experience conflict with large carnivores than people living in urban areas (Naughton- Treves et al 2003;Røskaft et al 2007). Lescureux et al (2011) show a negative perception of the lynx in Macedonia due to unfamiliarity with the carnivore. Either this unfamiliarity with large carnivores (especially lynx) or the malicious role they play in fairy tales and stories (especially wolves) may be additional explanations for the more negative perception of the general public of the lynx and wolf, compared with the fox of which people have more factual knowledge.…”

“…wolf or lynx), providing them with factual information on carnivore ecology and behaviour and relating it to species people are familiar with (e.g. the fox) could lead to a more positive perception (Lescureux et al 2011 identified five concepts that need to be taken into account regarding large carnivore governance and management: (1) establishment of trust between people and groups interacting on the subject; (2) fair representation of stakeholder interests; (3) acknowledgement of the different knowledge-spheres, including those based on personal experiences, culture and tradition, and science; (4) communication, based on dialogue about pluralistic perspectives, to find common ground; (5) emphasising empowerment. Our results emphasize the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, because of their different perceptions towards large carnivores, compensation measures and large carnivore management in general.…”

Local ecological knowledge of the threatened Cochin Forest Cane Turtle Vijayachelys silvatica and Travancore Tortoise Indotestudo travancorica from the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India

“…The information gathered during an individual's lifetime from personal observations and experiences has facilitated informing the ecology, distribution and threats to numerous species (Gilchrist et al 2005;Ravaloharimanitra et al 2011;Lescureux et al 2011). We used LEK of these indigenous and nonindigenous communities in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats to document local names, perceived abundance, consumption and threats to the endemic forest-dwelling chelonians of the region, the Endangered Cochin Forest Cane Turtle V. silvatica (Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000a;Image 1) and Vulnerable Travancore Tortoise I. travancorica (Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000b; Image 2).…”