Thesis (M.C.R.P.)--University of Oregon, 2002. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-158).

Thesis (M.S.) --University of Montana, 2008. / Title from author supplied metadata. Description based on contents viewed on May 15, 2009. ETD number: etd-12302008-135445. Author supplied keywords: Grizzly ; stakeholder ; Idaho ; Bitterroot ; reintroduction. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-201). Also available via the Internet.

L’avancée des forêts au Moyen Age confinait à une proximité inquiétante avec des animaux sauvages qui échappaient à notre volonté de maîtrise et de contrôle, engendrant d’inévitables conflits de territoire. Ces conflits sont à l’origine du classement de certaines espèces dans la catégorie des « nuisibles ». Les plus étudiés d’entre eux demeurent les grands prédateurs, loup et ours notamment. Les mustélidés (la belette (Mustela nivalis), la fouine (Martes foina), la martre (Martes martes), le putois (Mustela putorius) et le vison d’Amérique (Mustela vison)) ont beau être des prédateurs plus discrets en taille comme en popularité, ils n’en demeurent pas moins étroitement dépendants des « respirations » de l’imaginaire humain. Leurs mœurs nocturnes et leurs comportements furtifs sont le terreau sur lequel poussent et se nourrissent les perceptions humaines. Brossant le portrait de cette insaisissable engeance, regroupée par les piégeurs sous le vocable collectif de « sauvagine », nous engageons une réflexion pluridisciplinaire réconciliant sciences naturelles et humaines et mêlant plusieurs approches capables de s’éclairer et de se répondre : géographie, anthropologie, écologie et symbolisme. L’étude des écrits naturalistes anciens, associée à un travail d’enquête auprès de naturalistes et de piégeurs dans les campagnes de moyenne montagne du sud-ouest du Massif central (Aveyron, Tarn et Tarn-et-Garonne), permet de mieux appréhender l’évolution de la notion d’animal « nuisible » et sa perception par les acteurs de terrain. Éternels « hors-la-loi », les mustélidés déjouent nos tentatives de les cerner, de les identifier et de leur assigner un territoire parfaitement distinct du nôtre. Le partage des territoires échoue, l’homme échouant à tenir ces petits animaux ondoyants en respect, à leur place, de leur côté de la barrière. Les « nuisibles » offrent une illustration exemplaire de l’homme confronté au sauvage et permettent une analyse de l’hésitation permanente entre ordre et désordre, partage et partage, altérité et identité. / The advance of forests in the Middle Ages bordered on a disturbing nearness with wild animals which escaped our will of control, engendering inevitable conflicts of territory. These conflicts are at the origin of the classification of certain animal species in the category of “pests”. The most studied of them remain the big predators, wolf and bear in particular. Mustelids (weasel (Mustela nivalis), stone marten (Martes foina), marten (Martes martes), polecat (Mustela putorius) and American mink (Mustela mink)) may be more discreet predators in size as in popularity, they remain not less strictly dependent on “breaths” of the human imagination there. Their night-customs and their furtive behavior are the compost on which the human perceptions grow and feed. Painting a portrait of this imperceptible scum, grouped by trappers under the collective word of “Sauvagine”, we commit a multidisciplinary reflection reconciling natural and human sciences and mixing several approaches : geography, anthropology, ecology and symbolism.The study of natural histories, associated with investigations with naturalists and with trappers in the countrysides of low mountain range of the southwest of Massif Central (Aveyron, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne), allows to comprehend better the evolution of the notion of “pests” and its perception by rural actors. Eternal “outlaws”, weasels frustrate our attempts to encircle them, to identify them and to assign them a territory perfectly different from ours. The sharing of territories fails, the man failing to hold these small undulate animals in respect, on their place, from their part for the barrier. “Pests” offer an exemplary illustration of the man confronted with the savage and allow an analysis of the permanent hesitation between order and disorder, sharing and sharing, otherness and identity.

The aim of the project was to explore the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge amongst decision-makers involved in the management of red deer in Scotland. While research exists on the ecology of red deer habitat, no research exists that focuses on the relationship between the deer and the people responsible for their management. Therefore, this thesis is primarily qualitative research which aimed to explore the various aspects of red deer management in Scotland within the socio-ecological context in which it exists. There are numerous groups with interest in red deer management, however this research, due to scope and time restrictions, was limited to two primary groups, the individuals tasked with implementing policy and the practitioners who carry out culling. During the course of the project, under-researched topics surfaced, highlighting areas of practical and theoretical divergence between stakeholders. This thesis therefore aims to explore how differing views and perspectives of two of the key stakeholder groups – the estate-based practitioners (including stalkers, land-managers, and land-owners) and staff of governmental agencies – influence the management of red deer in Scotland. This research indicates that people with different roles hold different relationships with the deer, which affect management decisions and implementation at local, regional, and/or national level. As with other areas within conservation and wildlife management, this research indicates there is a disconnect between blanket governmental policy and site-specific needs, with a lack of inclusion of practitioner knowledge. Potential future research would include additional qualitative research to follow up some of the management issues raised by this research and formulate recommendations for changes to practice, followed by collection of quantitative data assessing the efficacy of interventions.