Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Elmira Sharbafi ¹
• Hamid Reza REZAEI ²
• Sadegh Salehi ³
• Mohammad Sadegh Farhadinia ⁴
• Maryam Shahbazi ⁵

¹ Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

² Academic staff

³ Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran

⁴ Lecturer in Conservation Science at Kent University and Researcher at Oxford University, United Kingdom

⁵ Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

The historical relationship between humans and nature can be introduced and investigated with Indigenous ecological knowledge used in conservation policy-making and should be considered in governmental and formal conservation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the local people with Persian leopard, Brown bear, and Grey wolf in three protected areas of Hyrcanian forests in Mazandaran and Gilan provinces with an ethnographic approach. During interviews with more than 40 local people and holding group meetings, several questions were asked, including general knowledge of the species, beliefs and stories, use of body parts, and how to keep away carnivores from properties and hunting methods. The results indicated that the locals had high experience and knowledge about the nature and wildlife around them. Due to leopard and wolf attacks on livestock and lack of compensation, there is a negative view of these species, especially wolves. The use of bear bodies, especially fat, was heard among all three tribes. Talysh people quoted different stories and myths specifically about the wolf and bear. In educational planning, paying attention to the history of positive and negative beliefs about these species can lead to effective protection in these areas

Keywords

• Indigenous and local knowledge
• ethnobiology
• North Iran forests
• local communities
• carnivores
• conservation

Main Subjects

• Indigenous Knowledge