Why Italians Prune Apples for Bears

Core Concepts

Conservationists in Italy are pruning apple trees to provide extra calories for the endangered Marsican brown bears, challenging traditional conservation practices and emphasizing the importance of coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Abstract

In the central Apennines of Italy, conservationists like Mario Cipollone and Angela Tavone are helping abandoned agricultural landscapes revert back to nature. By pruning apple trees to feed the rare Marsican brown bear, they are redefining conservation practices. The shift in environmental thinking involves nurturing fragments of wildness through interventions that were once considered heretical. This approach aims to support the fragile population of Marsican bears by providing them with valuable extra calories from cultivated fruit trees. The rewilding work done by Cipollone and Tavone highlights the need for humans and wildlife to coexist harmoniously in shared landscapes. Their efforts challenge traditional conservation methods by emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing ecosystems and supporting endangered species through innovative means.

Stats

"38-year-old conservationist"
"rare Marsican brown bear"
"fewer than 60 bears left on the planet"
"7,000 varieties of apples grown worldwide"
"400-pound Marsican brown bear"

Quotes

"It’s like a fine wine."
"Give nature the tools to express itself."
"The threat is domestication."

Key Insights Distilled From

Why Italians Are Growing Apples for Wild Bears

by Christopher ... at www.theatlantic.com 04-09-2020

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/04/what-wildlife-really-looks-like/609721/

Deeper Inquiries

How can traditional conservation practices be adapted to support endangered species like the Marsican brown bear?

Traditional conservation practices can be adapted to support endangered species like the Marsican brown bear by incorporating new approaches that focus on coexistence rather than strict separation. In the case of the Marsican brown bear, rewilders in Italy are working towards creating "coexistence corridors" that pass through farms and villages, allowing bears to move safely between protected areas. By addressing human-wildlife conflicts through low-tech fixes such as warning devices for bears near roads and electric fences around beehives, traditional conservation practices are being adjusted to accommodate both human needs and the requirements of vulnerable animal populations.

What role do cultural beliefs play in shaping attitudes towards wildlife conservation efforts?

Cultural beliefs play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards wildlife conservation efforts. In regions where wildlife is intertwined with local traditions and identities, such as Italy's Apennines or Montana's prairies, cultural beliefs influence how people perceive and interact with wildlife. For example, indigenous communities historically viewed humans and wildlife as interconnected forces on a continuous plane, each playing a vital role in supporting the other's survival. Understanding these cultural perspectives is crucial for successful conservation initiatives as it helps build relationships with local communities, gain their support for conservation efforts, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for protecting vulnerable animal populations.

How can rewilding initiatives balance human needs with those of vulnerable animal populations?

Rewilding initiatives can balance human needs with those of vulnerable animal populations by implementing strategies that promote coexistence while respecting both ecological processes and societal demands. This involves finding ways to manage landscapes that allow for natural behaviors of animals while also meeting human requirements. For instance, projects like Knepp Castle Estate in West Sussex have demonstrated success by reintroducing native species into managed landscapes while generating income from ecotourism and sustainable agriculture practices. Additionally, programs like Wild Sky at American Prairie Reserve pay local ranchers who meet habitat criteria bonuses on beef sales to incentivize habitat-friendly land management practices that benefit both humans and wildlife. By fostering partnerships between stakeholders, rewilding initiatives can strike a balance between conserving biodiversity and supporting community livelihoods.