Social actors’ perceptions of wildlife: Insights for the conservation of species in Mediterranean protected areas

Cortés‐Avizanda, Ainara; Pereira, Henrique M.; McKee, Ellen; Ceballos, Olga; Martín‐López, Berta

doi:10.1007/s13280-021-01546-6

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…In addition, and because of the health of avian scavenger populations, it would be desirable to implement the regulations prohibiting the abandonment of carcasses of intensively farmed animals. This cannot be done, however, without carefully evaluating the possible effects of these measures on the demography of the vulture populations and on the perception of farmers towards the services provided by the birds (Cortés-Avizanda et al 2022). It could be argued that the loss of this resource could be partially compensated for by the carcasses of wild ungulates currently under expansion in many mountain areas (Blázquez and Sánchez-Zapata 2009, Sánchez-Zapata et al 2010, Margalida et al 2011, Cortés-Avizanda et al 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vultures feeding on the dark side: current sanitary regulations may not be enough

FERNÁNDEZ-GÓMEZ

Cortés‐Avizanda²,

Arrondo³

et al. 2022

Bird Conservation International

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Summary It is widely acknowledged that the conservation of vultures, a group of birds threatened worldwide, requires the management of safe, high-quality human subsidies, free of potentially harmful toxic compounds. Additionally, in Europe, the supply of livestock carcasses is subject to current sanitary regulations. It is largely unknown how vultures use sources of food of different abundance, predictability, or different legal status and how individual features shape these preferences. To answer these questions, we took advantage of information yielded by 35 GPS-tagged adult Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus living in a region of northern Spain, which hosts one of the most important European populations. Our results indicated that vultures preferably used predictable feeding sites, such as carcass dumping sites, intensive farms and landfills which together account for the 62% of the observed feeding sites. Less than 10% of all observed sites had permission of authorities for the disposal of the carcasses. Interestingly, sites with large accumulations of carcasses were less used that those with intermediate amounts of food probably because of high intraspecific competition. In addition, sex and breeding status also played a role with males and breeding birds being more prone to visit the studied intensively managed feeding places. This vulture population is heavily dependent on food sources which are not under legal control where the birds could be at risk of intoxication and pathogen acquisition. Hence, current legal scenario allowing farmers to abandon carcasses in their exploitations seems insufficient. The future of vultures in highly anthropized regions is uncertain if interdictory regulations on the abandonment of carcasses of intensive livestock are applied. Additionally, conservation scenarios based on food subsidization must consider the effects of environmental and individual variability. We need science-based strategies ensuring the long-term viability of avian scavenger populations within a scenario of anthropized landscapes and livestock farming intensification.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vultures feeding on the dark side: current sanitary regulations may not be enough

FERNÁNDEZ-GÓMEZ

Cortés‐Avizanda²,

Arrondo³

et al. 2022

Bird Conservation International

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“…This undoubtedly has positive aspects, as it brings the public closer to nature and increases the positive perception of the conservation of protected areas and biodiversity (Cortés‐Avizanda et al . 2021). Our results are certainly based on a small sample, but they are consistent with previous research in the same study area on changes in the resource consumption patterns of the guild of avian scavengers with high levels of human disturbance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Up to 77 000 visitors were registered at the Park offices in 2018 (https://www.bardenasreales.es/turismo_1v.htm) but it is estimated that the actual number of visitors is double this figure (Cortés‐Avizanda et al . 2021, Bardenas Reales‐Information Centre pers. comm.).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hidden effects of high numbers of tourists in protected areas: displacement of foraging top scavengers

Donázar

Cortés‐Avizanda

Arrondo

et al. 2022

Ibis

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Protected areas in southern Europe are important for the conservation of large avian scavengers. However, the effects an increasing number of visitors may have on the scavengers' patterns of movement are unknown. Here, we took advantage of data collected from seven GPS‐tagged adult Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus breeding in the Bardenas Reales Natural Park in northern Spain to determine whether foraging birds moved to more remote areas on the days when the number of visitors increased. We found that although the number of visitors did appear to affect movement patterns, this had a smaller effect size compared with the mean temperature of the day. Additionally, males moved further than females. If the number of visitors to natural areas continues to increase, local exclusions of Griffon Vultures may become more common, so further research is needed to address the potential consequences for the scavenger population and ecosystem functions and services they provide.

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“…Consideration of often divergent perceptions, values, knowledge, and experiences of different stakeholders facilitates the identification of shared views and contentious grounds (Villamor et al, 2014) that are relevant to the outcomes of natural resources management interventions. Thus, it is important to examine the perceptions of more than one group, to allow for broader inputs in conservation programs, recognizing that opinions will differ not only between groups (Cortes-Avizanda et al, 2021), but also within groups.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholders' Perceptions of the Outcomes of Translocated Eland in Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Namibia

Lendelvo¹,

Suich²,

Mfune³

2022

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Translocation of wildlife species from one area to another is a conservation tool that contributes to the restoration of depleted populations, augments declining populations, or establishes of new populations. This paper documents one of the first studies examining in detail stakeholders' perceptions of the factors influencing the outcomes of translocations of wildlife into a community conservation area, using the case of eland (Taurotragus oryx) translocations into the Nyae Nyae Conservancy in Namibia. The translocations took place between 2000 and 2005 as part of the national community-based natural resource management programme and were monitored through annual waterpoint counts. These data on perceptions were collected through a household survey and focused group discussions involving community members and leaders and key informant interviews with external stakeholders. Community members' perceptions could not confirm that the translocated eland decreased or increased, however, reflected that eland individuals moved away from the release site soon after translocation to more distant locations further away from human settlements. The outcomes of the translocations were perceived to be most strongly associated with anthropogenic factors compared to habitat or environmental factors. However, stakeholders exhibited divergent perceptions regarding which of the anthropogenic factors was of most importance, particularly with respect to the roles of the different types of hunting, and to a lesser degree, the role of traditional burning of landscapes on translocation outcomes. The paper illustrates the complexities associated with translocations of wildlife into community conservation areas compared to state protected areas, given the strong influence of human disturbances on translocation success. It highlights the importance of understanding the social factors influencing how and why translocated individuals may adapt well or poorly to their new environment. Building this understanding is essential to improving the outcomes of similar translocations in the future.

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Social actors’ perceptions of wildlife: Insights for the conservation of species in Mediterranean protected areas

Cited by 13 publications

References 56 publications

Vultures feeding on the dark side: current sanitary regulations may not be enough

Vultures feeding on the dark side: current sanitary regulations may not be enough

Hidden effects of high numbers of tourists in protected areas: displacement of foraging top scavengers

Stakeholders' Perceptions of the Outcomes of Translocated Eland in Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Namibia

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