Le contraddizioni del rapporto tra uomo, animali e dimensione selvatica nella tarda modernità : La reintroduzione dei grandi predatori nelle Alpi : tra ideologia della wilderness, biopolitica e conflitto sociale

SUMMARY - The contradictions of the relationship between man, animals in wildlife in the late modernity - The return of large carnivores in the Alps and in other mountainous areas of Europe rises several socio-cultural and socio-political issues. Active large carnivores supporters address to this return as a biological need and a condition for the environmental restoration. The rhetoric associated with these programs however associates scientific legitimacy with emotional and utilitarian appeals and drive attention from the poor sustainability of mass tourism and intensive agro-food systems. This ambiguity of the social construction of the ‘great carnivore’ is the source of many contradictions and bitter conflicts with animals used as flags and counter-flags. The counter-strategy of groups opposing large carnivores return on reverse uses the issue as a catalyst for broader social conflicts involving territorial and cultural identity within a wider challenge to the neo-authoritarian biopolitical governance and to the scientific knowledge system. The anti-carnivore alliance however do not hesitate to appeal scientific issues, especially as far as biodiversity is concerned. These topics are discussed with particular reference to the successful bear re-introduction program in the Central-Eastern Italian Alps.