Carolyn Mahan, Valerio Reale

The study of discourse is a cross-disciplinary enterprise comprising theory and analysis of language that was developed from an interest in how what people say or write is used within cultural frameworks to accomplish social, political, and cultural goals. We present a discourse analysis of textual comments offered by participants at a formal meeting regarding “Coexistence Between Humans and Large Carnivores,” held 2024, at the Center for American Studies in Rome, Italy. It was sponsored by the American Embassy, the Italian Forestry Carabinieri, and Re-Wilding Apennines, a non-governmental organization (NGO) with an interest in promoting coexistence between humans and bears. At the meeting, resource professionals from Italian national parks, universities, international forestry and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Department of State focused on the persistence of brown bears as well as gray wolves in central Italy. Preliminary discourse analysis revealed societal, cultural, and political variability among participants. In particular, professionals from both Italy and the United States present the idea that science is the primary method for engaging public support and embedding conservation in the minds of local (central Italy) citizenry. However, the actions of conservation were viewed as the responsibility of the 'agents'---the non-governmental organizations. This dichotomy represents an area of focus for improved conservation approaches where citizen actions and views (e.g., local culture) may better inform science and vice versa. Finally, our discourse analysis indicated that, wildlife (e.g., bears) are viewed as the 'sender' of conflicts, scientists are 'problem-solvers,' and others (e.g., NGO, public) are 'helpers.' An deeper analyses of these views and considerations of other interactions (e.g., scientists as 'helpers') may better inform conservation in local contexts.