Using a Conflict Framework Analysis to Help Beekeepers and Giant Armadillos (Priodontes maximus) Coexist

Mariana L Catapani,Arnaud L J Desbiez,Carla Morsello,Bruna Oliveira

doi:10.3389/fcosc.2021.696435

Abstract

Damage caused by wildlife is one reason preventing peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. To identify the complexity and scope of human-wildlife interactions and to guide conservation interventions, a theoretical framework has been recently proposed, based on the field of conflict analysis and peacebuilding. Despite its importance, to our knowledge, there are no studies yet testing the framework. We therefore adapted and expanded the framework to investigate a wildlife-people interaction scenario, involving damage by giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus) to apiaries in the Brazilian Cerrado biome of Mato Grosso do Sul state. From August to November 2018, we interviewed 111 beekeepers identified through a mixed random and snowball sampling design to assess at which level of conflict this interaction could be framed, and to identify strategies able to promote coexistence. Analysis of the five key areas of the framework suggested the current human-wildlife interaction is a level one conflict. This means the negative relation between beekeepers and giant armadillos is still not rooted in less visible, more complex social disagreements, but founded in a material dispute: destruction of beehives. We used the findings to create an intervention strategy which involves: (i) the implementation of mitigation strategies that prevent giant armadillos from predating beehives; (ii) a certification scheme to acknowledge beekeepers' efforts to implement the mitigation strategies, and (iii) a Citizen Science Program using an app that enables data gathering for adaptive management, as well as maintains beekeeper engagement. We hope beekeepers-giant armadillos' coexistence will become beneficial rather than a challenge with the novel interventions.

Highlights

Damage caused by wildlife is one of the reasons preventing the peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife (Kansky et al, 2014), because it may lead to material and economic losses, threaten livelihoods (Messmer, 2009), and even impact the mental health of the people involved (Thondhlana et al, 2020)
Extending the Framework: Devising Indicators The number of indicators and the extent to which we investigated subjects in each key area reflected the results of our interview pilot-test
Beekeeping was the main source of family income for 41.1% of the interviewees, who relied on honey for half or more of their income

Summary

Introduction

Damage caused by wildlife is one of the reasons preventing the peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife (Kansky et al, 2014), because it may lead to material and economic losses, threaten livelihoods (Messmer, 2009), and even impact the mental health of the people involved (Thondhlana et al, 2020). Retaliatory killing of animals blamed for damage may follow (Cerri et al, 2017), which translates into a worldwide threat to numerous species (Woodroffe et al, 2005). One approach is to directly tackle negative impacts caused by wildlife, with two main strategies commonly adopted in those situations. The second approach relies on economic instruments to offset impacts, such as insurance (Chen et al, 2013) and financial compensation for the losses incurred (Bauer et al, 2017)

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Results

Conclusion