36 J. S. Alexander et al.


lifestyles. Nearly all respondents working in the agricultural field referred to the strong link between pastoralism and the cultural identity of the valley:


‘If the mountains are beautiful, it’s also because of the farmers.We’re the ones who clear the brush. The pastures with the animals are more attractive.’– Pastoralist, Samoens.


Another identified theme concerned the link with nature, particularly in mountain landscapes. A number of respon- dents also highlighted the importance of pastoralism in maintaining the multi-use mountainous landscape of the region. Pastoralism is an important livelihood choice but its societal role in providing food to the community and re- gion is also highly regarded:


‘Doing something so that people can eat is rewarding.’– Pastoralist, Samoëns.


Perceived impact of the lynx on hunting and pastoralism


The majority of respondents indicated that lynxes do not currently interfere with hunting or pastoralism practices, with only two respondents reporting to be negatively af- fected by the felids. However, many felt that lynxes could have negative impacts if a reproducing population became established in the valley. Only one hunter indicated this may have a positive impact in the future.


Tolerance towards the lynx Respondents were generally open to coexisting with lynxes in the valley. Almost half expressed a degree of tolerance towards the species under current circumstances:


‘I accept sharing. If there aren’t too many. It’s a matter of balance. Yes, when there’s a predator, it affects the distribution of groups, they become more cautious. They settle in different places.’ – Hunter, Mieussy.


A number indicated that a larger lynx population could be accommodated in the valley given its size and explained that lynxes are part of the natural world:


‘If the lynx were present, it would have an impact. Yes, surely it needs to eat. One animal per week. 52 animals in a large territory. Lynx comes back 3–4 times to its prey.’– Hunter, Samoëns.


Two older hunters expressed how their personal views to- wards the presence of lynxes had changed over time, noting an increased quantity of game species present in the landscape:


‘25 years ago, hunters used to say, “See a lynx and we shoot.” The men- tality has changed. People now think and realize that we have plenty of wild game ... There’s enough food for everyone.’– Hunter, Mieussy.


Four pastoralists shared a similar view, indicating they were not disturbed by the predator. None of the pastoralists re- ported losing livestock to lynxes, and two stated that losing a sheep would not be a major concern:


‘The herds are not disturbed. There are no carcasses. No dying sheep. The lynx is part of nature. We can always manage with them .. . They need to be managed.’– Pastoralist, Mieussy.


Too few to have an impact Many respondents reported limited experience with lynxes and indicated that there were too few individuals in the area to affect their hunting or pastoralist practices. The following comment from a hunter in Taninges illustrates this view: ‘No impact. Because currently .. . the lynx is not overpopulated.’ A few respondents, however, expressed that although there was currently no impact, they were concerned that this situation could change if the number of lynxes increases. Respondents indicated that lynx numbers would have to be regulated through a quota hunting system, otherwise the situation could become problematic:


‘If their numbers increased, it could be a problem because they would kill the roe deer.’– Hunter, Sixt.


Potential/reported impact on game Only one hunter re- ported that lynxes currently had a negative, though limited, impact on the availability of game:


‘Minimal negative impact. The lynx kills animals to eat. There are then fewer animals for hunters to kill. Since there are more hunters (20 hunters instead of 10), we have less to kill.’– Hunter, Samoëns/ Morillon.


However, many expressed concerns about the potential im- pact of lynxes on wildlife should their numbers increase sig- nificantly. Hunters were particularly concerned about the propensity of lynxes to kill chamois and roe deer, describing the lynx as ‘a potential hunting competitor, which did not follow the rules.’


Favourable comparison to the wolf In most interviews, the question exploring the perceived impact of the lynx trig- gered strong responses related to the presence of the grey wolf in the valley. Many respondents made direct compar- isons between the two species in terms of the impact on their way of life. The lynx was described as a carnivore that they would tolerate, whereas few felt that the wolf had any place in the valley. This was often linked to predation behaviour. Lynx were described as ‘good’ hunters that focused on one prey animal at a time, compared to wolves that were per- ceived as not fully consuming their kill before moving on to other prey. Generally, these statements were negative towards wolves and neutral regarding lynxes, and were made by both hunters and pastoralists.


‘But when the lynx kills an animal, it eats it. Not like the wolf, which goes away and eats another one tomorrow.’– Hunter, Samoëns.


‘Now that there’s the wolf, we like the lynx—that’s the difference be- tween a good and a bad hunter—one is the lynx, the other is the wolf. The lynx doesn’t eat everything like the wolf that destroys herds.’– Hunter, Sixt.


Other impacts A number of respondents believed that the lynx was unlikely to have wider impacts in the valley. They emphasized the elusiveness of the species and that it is not dangerous to people. Some respondents suggested the lynx could serve as an attraction to visitors, although this raised


Oryx, 2025, 59(1), 31–39 © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605324000334


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140