Insights into large carnivore predations and extensive farming practices in the Italian Alps: current issues and future perspectives

Extensive livestock farming provides crucial ecosystem services but faces several challenges (e.g. adverse effects of climate change, increasing production costs, lower scale economy). Large carnivores play a pivotal ecological role, contributing to ecosystem stability. However, without effective management, they can pose an additional challenge for livestock farming. To assess the impact of carnivores on livestock in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North-Eastern Italy), we conducted structured interviews at 58 randomly selected Alpine summer farms out of 162 actives in the area. Data, collected from June to October 2023 through structured interviews (i.e. oral conversations), covered farm characteristics, livestock raised, grazing systems, carnivores’ impact, and herder opinions and perceptions on human-carnivore conflict and coexistence. Among the 58 interviewed herders, the 38% have experienced livestock predations. Sheep and goats were the main target of carnivore attacks, possibly due to their smaller size and ineffective anti-predatory behaviours. Grazing system had no significant effect, presumably because the free-ranging one was primarily used with cattle, the least affected livestock category. Similarly, grassland features showed no significant effect, likely due to limited fragmentation and herders’ avoidance of high-elevation, steep-slope areas to reduce predation risks. Herders expressed dissatisfaction over post-damage compensations, which excludes indirect losses (e.g. stress, reduced foraging time, abortions). Regardless of actual predation incidents, the 76% of herders viewed future human-carnivore coexistence as unachievable. The support from wildlife policy-makers in the implementation of effective preventive measures is thus essential to mitigate the impact of carnivores, and improve herders’ tolerance towards the species.