Sharing land with bears: Insights toward effective coexistence

Cohabiting with large carnivores does not necessarily equate to coexistence. In human-dominated landscapes, an effective coexistence is necessary to ensure long-term viable and sustainable conditions for large carnivores and humans, respectively. To better understand how cohabitation may develop toward coexistence, we used some of the cognitive hierarchy constructs to compare (n = 196 questionnaires) stakeholders’ attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions, and their insights for bear conservation in a historical stronghold of the autochthonous and imperiled Apennine brown bear (central Italy). For all stakeholder groups, responses indicated positive attitudes toward bears, yet the strength of agreement between respondents varied. Specifically, attitudinal differences were from positive (shepherds and hunters) to strongly positive (foresters, rangers and hotel owners). There was a low willingness of hunters and shepherds to modify their practices to reduce potential negative impact on bears’ survival and behavior. By highlighting the disconnection between holding positive attitudes and undertaking positive behaviors, we discuss ways to encourage solid engagement and participatory decision processes for effective coexistence.