Renewed Coexistence: Human dimensions of reintroducing the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) into England

Abstract

Coexistence is the adaptive but sustainable behaviour of humans and animals living together, which can be beneficial for humans. Conflicts can occur between humans and wildlife or among humans about wildlife which require effective and socially acceptable management solutions to achieve coexistence. Wildlife reintroduction is where species are returned to landscapes where they previously existed but are no longer present. A knowledge of how to anticipate and address conflicts in reintroduction scenarios would aid the development of sustainable solutions in this unique coexistence context, as would an understanding of how social benefits occur and can be maximised post-reintroduction. Further, understanding how reintroduction governance compares to the governance of coexistence with species that are already present would help aid the integration of reintroduced species into anthropogenic landscapes. In this thesis, these questions are addressed with a pragmatic, mixed-methods approach to investigating the human dimensions of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) reintroduction in England. Informed by a foundational nationwide attitudinal survey, the research consists of a series of studies: two of potential conflicts, two of social benefits, and one exploring the experiences of stakeholders involved in a reintroduction project. The thesis finds: 1) potential conflicts can be anticipated and addressed with early and appropriate engagement, and by seeking to understand social attitudes towards potential management solutions beyond just reintroduction itself; 2) social benefits occur naturally to some extent, but are greatest where there is active investment in the opportunities; 3) lessons from existing literature can be applied to governance of coexistence with reintroduced species, but key differences arise from the ‘future-thinking’ needed in reintroduction. The thesis concludes reintroduction is both an ecological and social science, and defines ‘Renewed Coexistence’ as coexistence between a species which was formerly resident and humans in the locality today to whom the species is a ‘new’ presence.