Pastoralist views and positions on coexistence with large carnivores. An overview from conflict areas across Europe

Abstract While large carnivore expansion is a conservation success, it increasingly challenges pastoralism. Beyond economic value, pastoralism provides critical biodiversity and sociocultural benefits, recognized by the UN and the EU's ‘High Nature Value farming’ designation. However, carnivore impacts threaten the motivation of pastoralists to continue, risking these multidimensional benefits. We interviewed 27 pastoralists across seven European high‐conflict areas (Spain, Italy, Romania, France, Sweden and Finland) to assess their experiences, stakeholder relationships and future outlooks. Most interviewees reported increased attacks over the last 5 years, attributed to population growth driven by reintroductions, natural recolonization under protection or insufficient management (e.g. lack of hunting). Although aware of prevention measures, perceptions of efficacy vary: fences are preferred in Spain and Italy, while livestock guarding dogs are primary in France. Institutional support for these tools is consistently deemed insufficient. Two thirds of respondents demand urgent action, reporting psychological distress and abandonment. Over half—particularly in Southern Europe—threaten to cease activities without management reforms. Proposed solutions include population reduction and relaxed protection status. Increasing carnivore populations threaten the economic and cultural viability of pastoralism. This pressure is most acute in Southern Europe, compounded by market and climate shifts. This study highlights the urgency of integrating traditional land use with modern conservation, calling for greater recognition of predator–human impacts and collaborative, institutionally supported solution spaces. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.