Knowledge and naturalist practices in human-wolf coexistence dynamics

Title: Knowledge and naturalist practices in human-wolf coexistence dynamics 

Leaders: Deborah Coz and Coralie Mounet

Ever since their return to France and because of the impacts their presence has on human activities, grey wolves (Canis lupus) are subject to a great deal of inquiry and research to inform decision-making. In that area, camera traps play an increasing role for several reasons (technological improvements and reduced costs; reduced snow cover, which makes tracks harder to find; and other tracking methods being less accessible). Camera traps are thus being used by a wide range of actors (professionals or not, groups or individuals) in various sectors (conservation or nature protection, hunting, pastoralism, tourism, forest management).

This part of the COEXIST project aims to understand the role played by camera traps in coexistence dynamics. The study is anchored in the Vercors regional natural park, where acquiring and sharing knowledge is part of a political project, and is based on interviews and observations with local stakeholders who, willingly or not, find themselves part of wolf tracking using camera traps. Our objective is to provide some answers to the following questions: what type of information do camera traps provide and, more specifically, do they answer the need for local and contextual knowledge? Do they contribute to co-constructing a commonly shared knowledge on the interactions between wolves, domestic animals and wildlife? How does the wider use of camera traps influence the relationships between the different stakeholders, including power dynamics and epistemic relationships? Depending on research opportunities, this case study will be compared to other territories and/or projects using GPS-based telemetry.   

Contact: deborah.coz@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr