Living together in the Alps: conflict, compromise and coexistence between humans, ungulates and wolves in Aosta Valley

Over the last two centuries, ungulates in Europe experienced intense human pressure, leading to the local extinction of several species. More recently, reintroduction programs, often supported by hunting interests, together with new legislation and conservation policies, have fostered their recovery. Natural predators such as wolves, once eradicated from the Alps, have recolonized these areas in recent decades. In their absence, wildlife management was implemented to address human-driven ungulate overabundance and the resulting conflicts with economic activities. This research investigates current approaches to ungulate management in Aosta Valley through semi-structured interviews. Given their ecological relevance, importance to hunting, and diverging stakeholder interests, ungulate management remains contested. The study explores local experiences, perceptions, and negotiations concerning human–ungulate–wolf relationships, focusing on how coexistence is framed and what kinds of compromises are considered acceptable. It also engages with debates on population regulation, human–wildlife and human–human conflicts, and reflects critically on how nonhuman animals are represented in management practices. The findings reveal contrasting positions on ungulate and wolf management, reflecting the differing perspectives and interests of local stakeholders. While coexistence with ungulates is generally seen as already established, views on coexistence with wolves remain more polarized.