Conflict between grey partridge Perdix perdix hunting and hen harrier Circus cyaneus protection in France: a review
Elisabeth Bro, Beatriz Arroyo & Pierre Migot
Bro, E., Arroyo, B. & Migot, P. 2006: Conflict between grey partridge Perdix perdix hunting and hen harrier Circus cyaneus protection in France: a review. - Wildl. Biol. 12: 233-247.
The recovery of protected predators raises tensions and divisions within society when their prey are of socio-economic value. For instance, conflicts may arise when hunters perceive protected predators as a threat for declining game populations, and cull them. These conflicts can have a strong impact on the status of the affected predator species. In this paper we review a conflict between hunters and raptor protectionists related to grey partridge Perdix perdix - hen harrier Circus cyaneus relationships in central northern France. We compiled all available information from scientific journals as well as hunting or protectionist journals, in order to present the polarised views of the problem and to analyse the social, political, legal and scientific aspects of the conflict. The results of existing studies suggest that in some circumstances hen harrier predation may have an impact on grey partridge populations. However, these studies also suggest that the problem is currently restricted to certain areas. The impact of hen harrier predation on grey partridge populations is not fully understood. Further research is therefore needed
to better understand the ecological basis of the conflict. We also present and discuss potential solutions to alleviate predation that might help to reduce the conflict.
Key words: conflict, diet composition, hunting, predator-prey relationships, protection, socio-economics, solution
Elisabeth Bro & Pierre Migot, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Département des Etudes et de la Recherche, Saint-Benoist, B.P. 20, F-78612 Le Perray en Yvelines Cedex, France - e-mail addresses: elisabeth.bro@oncfs.gouv.fr (Elisabeth Bro); pierre.migot@oncfs.gouv.fr (Pierre Migot)
Beatriz Arroyo, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB314BW, Scotland - e-mail: bea@ceh.ac.uk
Corresponding author: Elisabeth Bro
Received 13 January 2004, accepted 23 February 2005
Associate Editor: Steve Redpath