Beyond kill or no-kill: Institutional analysis of lethal control decision-making in large carnivore management

Countries use lethal control as a tool to respond to human-large carnivore conflicts to varying degrees. The aim of this study was to explore the complexities surrounding the often-controversial decision to lethally manage carnivores. We examined the cases of the tiger (Panthera tigris) in India and the wolf (Canis lupus) in Germany. This study used an Institutional Analysis and Development framework to analyze contrasting sociopolitical processes. Through a review of legislative documents (n = 44) and interviews with experts (n = 47), the study examined the intricacies and challenges of the decision-making process and its implementation. While both countries were restrictive in their use of lethal control, decisions were primarily shaped by culturally embedded tolerance thresholds, accountability structures of decision-makers and influential societal factors. The findings demonstrate that effective carnivore management requires careful institutional design balancing scientific evidence with democratic participation.