As we accumulate more and more ecological data on such conflicts, it seems that what we really lack is an understanding of the cultural contexts of many such conflicts. I'm aware of recent work by Steve Redpath and others, and am very keen to find more key sources from a variety of disciplines. My own work on croc attacks suggests that the best scientifically-informed advice based on our knowledge of croc ecology and behaviour often fails because of local beliefs about crocodiles ('were-crocodiles', fate, magical protections or curses). I'm very interested in examples of this in relation to crocodiles, particularly in Africa.
There are a few articles on this very interesting aspect of human dimension, but I am not aware of any book. Some examples as follows:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2014.915599#abstract
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2010.506671#abstract
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2012.694578#abstract
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2015.1010756#abstract
I hope this helps, best
Danilo
Hi Simon,
While I can't make any specific suggestions to crocodiles or reptiles, I recommend these two general references related to addressing the cultural context of human-wildlife conflict.
Book: Woodroffe, R., Thirgood, S., & Rabinowitz, A. (2005). People and wildlife, conflict or co-existence? Cambridge University Press. (Stephen Redpath is a contributing author in this volume)
Article: Dickman, A. J. (2010). Complexities of conflict: the importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human–wildlife conflict. Animal Conservation, 13(5), 458-466. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2010.00368.x/full
Good Luck!
Kelly
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2010.00368.x/full
Hi Simon,
I recommend the following papers:
Thorbjarnarson, J. et al. (2002). Wild populations of the Chinese alligator approach extintion. Biological Conservation, 103:93-102.
Thorbjarnarson, J. (1999). Crocodile Tears and Skins: International Trade, Economic Constraints, and Limits to the Sustainable Use of Crocodilians. Conservation Biology, 13: 465-470.
Verdade, L. M. The São Francisco River ‘codfish’: the northernmost populations of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris). Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter, UICN, Gland, v.20, n.4, p. 80-82, 2001.
Although they talk very little about the cultural dimension you are looking for, it is about crocodilians. At some point, the first paper do talk something about locals eating caiman meat because they thought it was dragon meat, though.
Good luck with your research!
Might find some info here, and references contained.
Treves. et al. 2006. Co-Managing Human–Wildlife Conflicts: A Review. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 11:383–396.
DOI: 10.1080/10871200600984265
Specific to croc attacks, if you haven't already combed through shark attack literature, there will likely be some sources regarding local attitudes/beliefs/customs in somewhat analogous setting.
Here's my little contribution. Hope it helps!
VERDADE, L. M.; CAMPOS, C. B. How Much Is a Puma Worth? Economic Compensation As an Alternative for the Conflict Between Wildlife Conservation and Livestock Production in Brazil. Biota neotropical, v. 4, p. 2–5, 2004.
Hello, got your request through Ana Isabel Queiroz
From a different disciplinary perspective I would recommend this reference:
KNIGHT, J Natural enemies people wildlife conflict from anthropological perspective
https://books.google.pt/books?hl=en&lr=&id=e2CjE7fwaFwC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=cultural+dimension+human+wildlife+conflict&ots=3lNNJ0_gV2&sig=B-KQOutEcqg9Jc3HHY-1Io_Ua3E&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=cultural%20dimension%20human%20wildlife%20conflict&f=false
Hi, thanks for your helpful answers! There was an interesting talk on this by Alexandra Zimmerman of WildCRU at the recent ICCB conference in Montpellier. I am accumulating a list of papers now. If you don't know it, have a look at David Quammen's book Monster of God. See also WALKER, B. L. (2013), ANIMALS AND THE INTIMACY OF HISTORY. History and Theory, 52: 45–67. doi: 10.1111/hith.10687; and I've been recommended Jon Coleman, Vicious: Wolves and Men in America (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004), and
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