The study area is a typical multi-use landscape, where forestry, tourism, grazing, and recreation, including hiking, skiing, hunting and fishing, all take place side by side. What makes the study area particularly compelling is that it inhabits or borders the protection zones of all four large carnivores – wolf, bear, wolverine and lynx. At the same time, the region supports active livestock farmers and grazing organisations. Consequently, all four large carnivores (and golden eagles) are present, and regularly cause losses to livestock.
Municipalities
Geographical size
Human population
Number of livestock farmers
Livestock farming systems
Large carnivore species
Wolf population
Bear population
Wolverine population
Lynx population
SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT
Hedmarksvidda is home to expansive coniferous forests dominated by Norwegian Spruce and Scots Pine. These forests account for 45% of the area of old Hedmark County, making this one of Norway's most significant forestry regions. Livestock grazing in forest areas is common here. In its lowland areas, grain, vegetables, and cereal grain-based livestock farming is prevalent. The region’s alpine areas are popular for tourism, recreation and grazing, and Ringsaker municipality, for instance, has Norway's highest number of registered cabins.
The local economy has strong primary sectors, such as forestry and agriculture, with outfield grazing playing a particularly important role. The region has a strong agricultural industry and is home to several knowledge hubs dedicated to farming, including those focusing on livestock breeding and plant cultivation.
The region is facing significant demographic challenges, including a declining population outmigration to cities, and an ageing population in many rural communities. Education levels in the county are among the lowest in Norway, with only 29% of residents in Innlandet having completed higher education, compared to 56% in Oslo. The number of livestock farmers has also declined in the last decades. However, active grazing organisations seem to be key to supporting the continuation of existing farms and recruiting new farmers.
FARMING CONTEXT
The region supports a wide range of farming activities, particularly the production of grains, vegetables, and livestock. Extensive summer grazing is essential for the economic viability of sheep and cattle farmers. Whilst sheep farming remains dominant, sheep numbers have declined over the last decades, whereas cattle numbers have increased, driven by growing interest in beef production. The most common sheep breed is the Norwegian White (Norsk kvit sau), followed by the Norwegian short tail (Spælsau). The Norwegian Red Cattle (Norsk Rødt Fe) remains the most common cattle breed overall, while Charolais and Hereford are the leading breeds among beef cattle.
Main Challenges:
- Steep decline in number of farmers practicing extensive livestock grazing.
- The traditional summer farm culture (“seterdrift”) has declined drastically, as many farmers have abandoned the practice. This has resulted in the areas becoming overgrown with shrubs and forests or being further developed as cabin areas.
- Ageing farmer population and insufficient generational renewal to keep the population stable.
- Cattle farmers experience high pressure for modernisation, while particularly sheep farmers have a high dependency on subsidies.
- Predation by several carnivore species leads to economic losses, as well as psychological and emotional distress for farmers. It also results in frustration, as it shortens the grazing season and results in over-reliance on subsidies and compensation.
LOCAL CONFLICT ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE CARNIVORES
Number of attacks:
Livestock predation has long been an issue in this region, but it has declined in recent years. Between 2006 and 2024, a total of over 15,000 sheep were compensated for across the four municipalities, averaging 829 per year. Of these, 2,000 were compensated between 2021 and 2024, averaging 446 per year. However, only nine cases of cattle depredation were confirmed between 2006 and 2024. Actual losses are likely to be higher, given that 46% of national cattle depredation reports are classified as inconclusive and many incidents go unreported.
- Over the last two decades, the majority of sheep losses were attributed to wolves (40%) and bears (31%).
- Between 2021 and 2024, losses attributed to wolverines increased to 46% of total losses, up from 8% between 2006 and 2024. Meanwhile, losses attributed to bears dropped to 11% in recent years. Losses attributed to wolves (35%) and lynx (8%) remained stable.
- Most attacks occur in the summer, when livestock graze freely and largely unattended in outfield pastures. This makes it difficult to determine exact losses and identify the carnivore species responsible.
Social conflict:
- The sheep compensation system only covers losses that exceed “normal losses” and requires official confirmation of carnivore attacks. Criticisms include the challenge of locating carcasses and confirming carnivore attacks, as well as the lack of compensation for indirect impacts, such as reduced breeding quality.
- Farmers report an increased workload and emotional stress due to the frustration of having to wait for depredation before problem carnivores can be removed.
- Non-lethal preventive measures include the delayed release or early gathering of livestock, and increased monitoring via GPS tags.
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