Large carnivores and Culture
Early days
We can only guess at what our ancient ancestors thought about large carnivores, but there is no doubt that they must have been aware of them. At various times the large carnivores could have been both sources of meat if our ancestors scavenged their kills, or competitors for valuable game, not to mention being potentially dangerous. What we do know is that large carnivores (lions, bears, lynx) appear among the rock art and cave paintings that our stone age ancestors created back as far as 30.000 years ago. The effort required to produce these works of art clearly indicates that the large carnivores held some significance to the artists.From wolf to dog
One of the most spectacular examples of humans benefiting from large carnivores comes from the example of the domestic dog. Derived from wild wolves, the dog was our first domestic species, which has now been bred into its many diverse forms that humans use to help them hunt game, to herd and guard their flocks, and to serve as companions.The wolf – demon and god
Of all the carnivore species the wolf is one most burdened by symbolism. Early myths were often very positive, such as the founding myth of Rome where Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she wolf. However, later myths became very negative; cumulating in the middle age’s religious symbolism where the wolf was associated was the devil and the werewolf legends. There is no doubt that the presence of wolves must have created some severe difficulties for livestock herders and travellers in the dark forests of the past. However, the European over-reaction to the wolf, leading to the extermination campaigns of past centuries, clearly shows that it served as a symbolic scapegoat for just about every problem that beset past societies. The effort that most European societies (especially in northern and western Europe) put into wolf extermination beggars belief in modern eyes. Massive economic resources were used, subsidising hunters and trappers and paying bounties in what was viewed as a highly symbolic march towards progress and godliness. The European landscape is still covered with old wolf traps, such as pitfall traps and corral traps, that were used as tools to kill wolves. Many countries also used wolf body parts in traditional medicince, for example in Portugal a dry wolf throat was used in the treatment of sick livestock!The bear – king of the forest
Despite the fact that bears are the only one of the species which poses a significant risk to human safety, they have consistently been treated more positively than wolves. Most European cultures have regarded the bear as a noble species, that even when hunted was treated with respect. In northern Europe, the Sami people even afforded bears with ritualised burials.Fairy tales
This difference between the wolf and the bear is also visible in our fairy tales. Little red riding hood portrays the wolf as nasty and evil, whereas the 3 bears really don’t harm a strand of hair on Goldilocks’ head, despite her eating their porridge and breaking the chairs in their house.Proverbs and sayings
Just about every culture has some sayings and proverbs (see attached list) that bring out the strength and nobility of the bear and the craftiness of the wolf.What’s in a name?
Our maps are also covered with references to many animals, including wolves and bears. Many people walk around with a name that is derived from these species – such as the Scandinavian name “Bjørn”.Coats of arms
Across Europe there are many towns, cities and regions that use large carnivores, especially bears and wolves, on their coats of arms. Examples include the bear feeding from the arbutus tree which is the symbol of Madrid, and the bear that is the symbol of Bern.The invisible lynx and wolverine
While the lynx and bear are ubiquitous throughout our cultural history, the lynx and wolverine are virtually invisible. Clearly they have been regarded as much less important than wolves and bears, not receiving so much of our hatred or of our admiration. On reflection this is not surprising as they are much more subtle and elusive species. Even scientists who spend years studying them rarely see them in the flesh; footprints in the snow are often the only signs of their presence.Modern day symbolism
Symbolism is always changing. At present the wolf and the bear find themselves as very contested symbols. On one side, conservationists use these species as positive symbols of beautiful nature and wilderness, and an attempt to make up for the mistakes of the past. However, to many rural people they are also symbols of a return to a state that their ancestors spent generations fighting against. They have also become symbols of a perceived urban interference in rural affairs.The challenge for the future is to try and use these species as symbols of coexistence, and here we imply both the coexistence of humans and carnivores, but also the coexistence of different groups of humans with different interests and values.
