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Poaching for large predators — conflict in a lawless land?

English summary of Brå report 2007:22

This study is a a wide-ranging investigation into the phenomenon of predator poaching.

    About the publication

    Author
    Mikael Pyka, Anette Nyqvist, Therese Monstad, Johanna Hagstedt, Lars Korsell
    Other information
    © Brottsförebyggande rådet 2008
    urn:nbn:se:bra-297
    Report 2007:22

    About the study

    The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) has, in collaboration
    with Stockholm University, conducted a wide-ranging investigation into the phenomenon of predator poaching, and has discovered one of the most complex political issues in Sweden today. From the analysis of all cases reported to the police of suspected illegal killing of wolves, lynxes, bears, wolverines and golden eagles during the period 1995–2005, a total of 344 cases, and the path from report to possible investigation and verdict, it emerges that only a very small percentage of the perpetrators of this type of poaching are convicted. The perpetrators who are convicted are given the lowest penalties possible. Among those who perceive the renewed spread of large predators as a problem – primarily hunters and livestock owners – there is strong support for predator poaching which makes supervision and investigation extremely hard for both administrative and investigative authorities.

    The presence and the renewed spread of large predators, i.e. bears, wolves,
    lynxes, wolverines and golden eagles, in Sweden’s forests and mountains is a
    politically charged issue that involves numerous groups of interest. The primary reason that the size of the predator species’ populations have not responded as expected to the authorities’ management measures (protection, protective hunting) is because of poaching, which is judged from zooecological research to have a significant impact on population growth (Dir. 2006:7).

    Knowledge about predator poaching has been limited, which has added to making these crimes very difficult to investigate. The aim of this study is to gather knowledge in order to suggest crime preventive measures against the poaching of predators in Sweden.

    The study is based on the following research questions:

    1. How many poaching crimes against predators have been reported between the years 1995 and 2005? How many of these reports have resulted in preliminary investigations, prosecutions and convictions?
    2. Under what circumstances are the crimes committed and to what extent
      can they be said to be organised? Do the perpetrators have criminal records?
    3. In areas with dense predator populations, what are the attitude of hunters, reindeer herders and livestock owners towards predators and towards the unlawful hunting of predators? What issues within these
      groups are relevant to increase acceptance of the national predator policy?
    4. How are predators portrayed in local newspapers and hunting magazines, and to what extent do they provide neutralisations (justifying or
      legitimising excuses) for predator poaching?
    5. From what we have learned, what crime preventive strategies can be
      formulated? What measures can be implemented outside of the judicial
      system to prevent these crimes?