Challenges & Solutions
At their core, the conflicts between humans and large carnivores are about competition between predators. Humans are top predators too. We compete for prey and are rarely pleased when carnivores kill and eat our livestock or hunt the game we pursue.
What are the challenges?
Beyond that competition, large carnivores have recently become pawns in a wider political game. They are now being used to symbolize broader conflicts, such as those between city and countryside. Well-funded special interest groups work tirelessly to spread negative messages – often neither fact-based nor true. Their goal is to replace reliable knowledge and science with fear, anxiety and strong emotions.
What are the solutions and benefits?
Across Europe, there are many examples of people living side by side with large carnivores. Communties continue to adapt, drawing on centuries of experience while also developing new methods that could be used in many other places. After decades of work on carnivore issues, and by observing how communities worldwide handle similar challenges, we’ve learned that smart, proven solutions often remain stuck at the local level.
Meeting the doers
That’s why we’re setting out to meet the doers in at least eight European countries: the pioneers, the problem-solvers, and all those who find ways to create win-win situations. We will meet farmers, landowners, hunters, beekeepers, reindeer herders, dog breeders and nature tourism operators to explore what they are doing and how.
Some questions we will bring with us
- How do you protect your livestock and other domestic animals, and limit damage? Fences? Dogs? Shepherds? Guns? Bells? Hi-tech solutions? Others?
- How do you and your community benefit from having large carnivores around?
- How can carnivores help generate local business, jobs and income?
- Which are the powerful positive branding opportunities from having such iconic wild animals around?
- Have you begun to explore these opportunities? And if so – what results have you seen so far?
What are the challenges?
Beyond that competition, large carnivores have recently become pawns in a wider political game. They are now being used to symbolize broader conflicts, such as those between city and countryside. Well-funded special interest groups work tirelessly to spread negative messages - often neither fact-based nor true. Their goal is to replace reliable knowledge and science with fear, anxiety and strong emotions.
What are the solutions and benefits?
Across Europe, there are many examples of people living side by side with large carnivores. Communties continue to adapt, drawing on centuries of experience while also developing new methods that could be used in many other places. After decades of work on carnivore issues, and by observing how communities worldwide handle similar challenges, we’ve learned that smart, proven solutions often remain stuck at the local level.
Meeting the doers
That’s why we’re setting out to meet the doers in at least eight European countries: the pioneers, the problem-solvers, and all those who find ways to create win-win situations. We will meet farmers, landowners, hunters, beekeepers, reindeer herders, dog breeders and nature tourism operators to explore what they are doing and how.
Some questions we will bring with us
- How do you protect your livestock and other domestic animals, and limit damage? Fences? Dogs? Shepherds? Guns? Bells? Hi-tech solutions? Others?
- How do you and your community benefit from having large carnivores around?
- How can carnivores help generate local business, jobs and income?
- Which are the powerful positive branding opportunities from having such iconic wild animals around?
- Have you begun to explore these opportunities? And if so – what results have you seen so far?
About Us
What is the “Living Side by Side” project?
Exploring to inspire change
In the coming years we will highlight local benefits, show how conflicts are being prevented or reduced, and explore how a wider acceptance can be built, and showing solutions that can be applied across Europe.
A part of the solution
By harnessing the emotional power of compelling visuals and storytelling, we aim to inspire change. The spotlight will be on real-life benefits, practical solutions and new business opportunities connected to the large carnivores, while at the same time addressing the challenges ahead.
Some questions we will bring with us
- How do you protect your livestock and other domestic animals, and limit damage? Fences? Dogs? Shepherds? Guns? Bells? Hi-tech solutions? Others?
- How do you and your community benefit from having large carnivores around?
- How can carnivores help generate local business, jobs and income?
- Which are the powerful positive branding opportunities from having such iconic wild animals around?
- Have you begun to explore these opportunities? And if so – what results have you seen so far?