info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesis
Exploring decision-making in human-predator conflict: a case study of farmers preferences to manage wild canids in Southeast Australia
Autor
Jara-Díaz, Javiera Paz
Institución
Resumen
Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) are the most cost-effective tool to achieve coexistence with
carnivores outside protected areas. Many countries have implemented these specialised dog
breeds to mitigate livestock predation through the centuries. Regardless, the livestock
industry in Australia remains to pragmatically incorporate this tool to deal with the impacts
of foxes, dingoes and feral dogs.
We interviewed ten sheep farmers in New South Wales to gain a deeper understanding of
how they frame the problem with wild canids and the reasons behind the low implementation
of LGDs. We then examined the interview transcripts using the ‘What’s the problem
represented to be?’ approach to policy analysis.
Our analysis revealed that the farmers
- Farmers framed the conflict with wildlife based in the nativeness of a species and its
perceived impacts. Nonetheless, management was underpinned by the Get Rid
Discourse. Consequently, lethal control methods were preferred.
- Coordinated baiting is the mainstreamed practice supported by Landcare and Local Land
Services. Therefore, land managers that did not bait were framed as conflictive.
Additionally, outsiders were perceived to lack an understanding of rural practices.
- Lastly, implementation of innovative control methods did not rely solely on cost-benefit
analysis, but in the implementation effort and the source of the evidence.
Consequently, we concluded that the implementation of LGDs was constrained because they
did not get rid of the wild canids, did not conform with the social norms established by the
baiting community, and challenged the status quo of the current practices.
Further research with a larger and more representative sample of stakeholders is needed to
design management strategies that could increase the implementation of LGDs and allow
coexistence with wild canids in Australia.