The recovery of large carnivore populations in Europe often leads to conflicts with the primary sector. Compensation for livestock and agricultural losses is a common mitigation tool, but its impact on tolerance and support for conservation remains unclear. The authors investigated brown bear damage to apiaries in the Polish Carpathians by surveying beekeepers in areas of bear presence. Using statistical modelling, they examined how emotional and cognitive responses to damage and compensation experiences shape tolerance and behavioural intentions towards bear conservation. They found that experiencing damage and receiving compensation was associated with higher risk perceptions and greater trust in the management administration. Whereas negative intentions were more likely when tolerance was low and fear was high, conservation support was positively associated with tolerance and perceived control. These findings suggest that conservation authorities can improve coexistence by relying on non-lethal strategies that minimize risk, build trust and foster a sense of control.
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Read the full paper here: https://link.springer.com/…/10.1007/s13280-025-02333-3…
