Knowledge about big cats matters: Insights for conservationists and managers

Engel, Monica T.; Vaske, Jerry J.; Marchini, Silvio; Bath, Alistair J.

doi:10.1002/wsb.798

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…For some people the presence of large carnivores may produce positive feelings such as joy, whereas for others it may evoke negative feelings such as fear (Altrichter et al, 2006; Johansson & Karlsson, 2011; Jacobs et al, 2014). Wildlife knowledge can influence attitudes towards large felids, and reduce fear and conflict (Marchini & Macdonald, 2012; Porfirio et al, 2016; Engel et al, 2017). Previous research has also shown that people with more formal education express greater appreciation of and/or concern for protection of species than those with less formal education (Kellert et al, 1996; Luksenburg & Parsons, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

People and jaguars: new insights into the role of social factors in an old conflict

Caruso¹,

Perovic²,

Tálamo³

et al. 2020

Oryx

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Throughout its range in Latin America, the jaguar Panthera onca is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and by conflict as a result of coexistence with people. This Near Threatened species is a top predator, and is often illegally hunted. Understanding people's attitudes and perceptions and the factors that could influence them is crucial for the conservation of this species. In this study we assess how knowledge, attitudes and perceptions among people in northern Argentina regarding jaguars vary depending on their level of education, age and occupation. We interviewed 810 people living in and around 10 protected areas in northern Argentina. Positive perceptions and attitudes towards the jaguar were associated with economic benefits that people may receive from the species’ presence, such as income from tourism. Unexpectedly, higher levels of formal education were not associated with more positive attitudes and perceptions. Negative attitudes and perceptions towards the species were determined by fear; people see jaguars as a threat to their lives. This study shows that the socio-economic factors that affect the level of tolerance towards jaguars are not related only to economic losses. Our findings provide information for the design, implementation and evaluation of jaguar conservation projects in Argentina.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

People and jaguars: new insights into the role of social factors in an old conflict

Caruso¹,

Perovic²,

Tálamo³

et al. 2020

Oryx

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show abstract

“…This suggests that shifting attitudes through awareness and education, taking advantage of the already strong cultural and symbolic meaning of jaguars in these communities, may be an effective way to address these behaviours, as shown by other studies (e.g. Engel et al, 2017;Marchini and Macdonald, 2020). However, the simultaneous existence of commercial and non-commercial interests behind the jaguar trade, and of domestic and foreign markets, means that further efforts should also focus on understanding market dynamics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…These perceptions are intensified by a lack of knowledge about jaguars (e.g. Engel et al, 2017), inadequate responses by authorities (Conforti & De Azevedo 2003), group identities and traditions (Harvey et al 2017), perceived behavioural control (e.g. an actor's perceived ability to conduct a behaviour and the extent to which doing the behaviour is the actor's choice - Ajzen, 2002;Marchini and Macdonald, 2012), and socioeconomic characteristics (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex interactions between commercial and non-commercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid

Arias¹,

Hinsley²,

Nogales-Ascarrunz³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Illegal trade and human-wildlife conflict are two key drivers of biodiversity loss, and are recognized as leading threats to large carnivores. While human-wildlife conflict involving jaguars (Panthera onca) has received significant attention in the past, less is known about traditional use or commercial trade in jaguar body parts, including their potential links with retaliatory killing. Understanding the drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption is necessary to develop appropriate jaguar conservation strategies, particularly as demand for jaguar products appears to be rising due to Chinese demand. We interviewed 1107 rural households in north-western Bolivia, an area with an active history of human-jaguar conflict, which has also been at the epicentre of recent jaguar trade cases involving Chinese demand. We collected information on participants’ experiences with jaguars, their jaguar killing, trading and consuming behaviours, and potential drivers of these behaviours. We found that the relationships between local people and jaguars are complex, and are driven largely by traditional practices, opportunism, human-jaguar conflict and market incentives from foreign and domestic demand, in the absence of law awareness and enforcement. Addressing jaguar trade and building human-jaguar coexistence will require a multifaceted approach that considers the multiple drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption, from foreign and local demand to human-jaguar conflict.

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“…It is also worth highlighting that, although most participants held negative perceptions and attitudes towards jaguars, positive attitudes (e.g., believing that killing jaguars is wrong) led to reduced engagement with jaguar killing and trading, and increased tolerance to jaguars. This suggests that shifting attitudes through awareness and education, taking advantage of the already strong cultural and symbolic meaning of jaguars in these communities, may be an effective way to address these behaviours, as shown by other studies (e.g., Engel et al, 2017;Marchini and Macdonald, 2020). However, the simultaneous existence of commercial and noncommercial interests behind the jaguar trade, and of domestic and foreign markets, means that further efforts should also focus on understanding market dynamics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Complex interactions between commercial and noncommercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid

Arias

Hinsley

Nogales-Ascarrunz

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Illegal trade and human-wildlife conflict are two key drivers of biodiversity loss and are recognized as leading threats to large carnivores. Although human-wildlife conflict involving jaguars (Panthera onca) has received significant attention in the past, less is known about traditional use or commercial trade in jaguar body parts, including their potential links with retaliatory killing. Understanding the drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption is necessary to develop appropriate jaguar conservation strategies, particularly as demand for jaguar products appears to be rising due to Chinese demand. We interviewed 1107 rural households in northwestern Bolivia, an area with an active history of human-jaguar conflict, which has also been at the epicentre of recent jaguar trade cases. We collected information on participants' experiences with jaguars, their jaguar killing, trading and consuming behaviours and potential drivers of these behaviours. We found that the relationships between local people and jaguars are complex and are driven largely by traditional practices, opportunism, human-jaguar conflict and market incentives from foreign and domestic demand, in the absence of law awareness and enforcement. Addressing jaguar trade and building human-jaguar coexistence will require a multifaceted approach that considers the multiple drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption, from foreign and local demand to human-jaguar conflict.

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Knowledge about big cats matters: Insights for conservationists and managers

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

People and jaguars: new insights into the role of social factors in an old conflict

People and jaguars: new insights into the role of social factors in an old conflict

Complex interactions between commercial and non-commercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid

Complex interactions between commercial and noncommercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid

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