Longitudinal Analysis of Attitudes Toward Wolves

Abstract

Understanding individual attitudes and how these predict overt opposition to predator conservation or direct, covert action against predators will help to recover and maintain them. Studies of attitudes toward wild animals rely primarily on samples of individuals at a single time point. We examined longitudinal change in individuals' attitudes toward gray wolves (Canis lupus). In the contiguous United States, amidst persistent controversy and opposition, abundances of gray wolves are at their highest in 60 years. We used mailed surveys to sample 1892 residents of Wisconsin in 2001 or 2004 and then resampled 656 of these individuals who resided in wolf range in 2009. Our study spanned a period of policy shifts and increasing wolf abundance. Over time, the 656 respondents increased agreement with statements reflecting fear of wolves, the belief that wolves compete with hunters for deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and inclination to poach a wolf. Endorsement of lethal control of wolves by the state and public hunting of wolves also increased. Neither the time span over which respondents reported exposure to wolves locally nor self-reported losses of domestic animals to wolves correlated with changes in attitude. We predict future increases in legal and illegal killing of wolves that may reduce their abundance in Wisconsin unless interventions are implemented to improve attitudes and behavior toward wolves. To assess whether interventions change attitudes, longitudinal studies like ours are needed. Análisis Longitudinal de las Actitudes Hacia Lobos.

Where can wolves live and how can we live with them?

“…Fear and dislike of wolves, however, is much greater (Kellert, 1985), and it is increasing in rural areas (Treves et al, 2013).As with coyotes, wolves generally are afraid of humans.Canada, for example, which has long hosted 50,000-60,000 wolves (Boitani, 2003), has reported only a single wolf-killed human in the last 50 years (McNay, 2002a(McNay, , 2002bLinnell et al, 2002;Mowry, 2007).However, there are enough records of wolves attacking and killing humans in several areas of the world to maintain the general public's fear of wolves.Wolves also regularly attack domestic dogs which greatly angers people (Kojola and Kuittinen, 2002;Ruid et al, 2009;Edge et al, 2011).…”

La gestión del lobo en España. Controversias científicas en torno a su caza

“…Asimismo, en Wisconsin se permitió la muerte de algunos lobos para reducir los daños al ganado y mejorar su aceptación. Pero, contra todo pronóstico, el seguimiento sociológico de esta iniciativa desveló que los ciudadanos redujeron su tolerancia hacia el lobo y mostraron una tendencia mayor a matarlo de forma ilegal (Treves, Naughton-Treves y Shelley, 2013). Es más, la tolerancia continuó bajando cuando el lobo fue declarado especie cinegética en Wisconsin (Hogberg, Treves, Shaw y Naughton, 2013; Browne-Nuñez, Treves, MacFarland, Voyles y Turng, 2015).…”

Analysing stakeholders’ perceptions of wolf, lynx and fox in a Dutch riverine area

“…Firstly, demographic and personal variables influence perceptions. In general, women, the elderly, people with lower education, people living in rural areas and people who do not often recreate in nature have a more negative perception of the wolf and lynx (Røskaft et al 2003(Røskaft et al , 2007Treves and Karanth 2003;Treves et al 2013). Secondly, certain values and emotions (e.g.…”

“…One reason for this could be that the study area is relatively rural; studies indicate that people living in rural areas have a more negative perception of large carnivores than people living in urban areas (Røskaft et al 2007;Treves et al 2013). Citizens in rural areas are more likely to experience conflict with large carnivores than people living in urban areas (Naughton- Treves et al 2003;Røskaft et al 2007).…”