One rule does not fit it all: Patterns and drivers of stakeholders perspectives of the endangered Iberian wolf

Abstract

Public attitudes are vital for the successful implementation of management strategies and conservation programs. However, contradictory interests among different stakeholders can create important setbacks, creating barriers to achieve conservation goals. The endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) occupies now only 20% of its historical distribution area, in Portugal, and its reduction was mostly due to direct human persecution. Here, we assessed locals' attitudes towards the Iberian wolf in northeast Portugal, in a region where humans and wolves coexist for centuries. A total of 323 questionnaires from three different interest groups (general public, livestock owners and hunters) were analysed. We tested the differences in attitude and fear level patterns between the different groups and assessed what sociodemographic factors could be influencing the detected patterns. We found that general attitude towards this carnivore was neutral to positive, probably owing to the low levels of livestock predation and long coexistence with local populations. However, most drivers differed among stakeholders groups. Education, knowledge, and level of fear were strong predictors explaining attitudes towards this endangered species. We stress the importance of assessing attitudes patterns and identifying the socio-psychological factors as necessary tools to facilitate the development of targeted tolerance-promoting strategies. Among other instruments, increasing locals' tolerance toward the Iberian wolf can be achieved by target education interventions, where the stakeholders can actively take part in discussions to accommodate their needs and expectation, rather than be listeners of the implemented programs.

Persistent negative stakeholder perspectives limit recovery of a critically endangered carnivore

“…Our findings align with previous research showing residents near endangered species restoration sites have more negative attitudes and decreased support for conservation action (Eriksson, Sandström, & Ericsson, 2015;Karlsson & Sjöström, 2007). Negative attitudes toward endangered species reintroductions are often related to the potential, or perceived potential, for the target species to threaten human safety, damage property, or limit land management practices (Miller et al, 2016;Torres et al, 2020). In the case of ferret recovery, our findings support previous studies that suggested persistent negative attitudes seem to be related to federal policy and to impacts of measures taken to conserve prairie dogs Reading & Kellert, 1993).…”

“…Increasingly, human dimensions are acknowledged as a leading factor influencing the success of endangered species recovery (Esmaeili, Hemami, & Goheen, 2019;Hadlock & Beckwith, 2002). This is particularly the case for carnivore species that are often viewed as direct threats to human safety, damage property, or limit land use practices (Miller, Jhala, & Schmitz, 2016;Torres, Lopes, Fonseca, & Rosalino, 2020). For example, even where adequate habitat for tigers (Panthera tigris) exists in India, recovery of this species has been challenged by persistent human-tiger conflict, leading to further animosity toward its recovery (Goodrich, 2010).…”

The Return of Large Carnivores and Extensive Farming Systems: A Review of Stakeholders’ Perception at an EU Level

“…Firstly, sex, age, and education may play a key role in fostering positive attitudes. In general women, elderly people, people with a lower level of education and less knowledge of the target species show less tolerance [34][35][36]. Secondly, folklore referring to oral traditions, folk tales, culturally transmitted fear, distaste or love towards certain groups of animals may lead to important conservation issues as some species may survive to the detriment of others [37][38][39].…”

“…Secondly, folklore referring to oral traditions, folk tales, culturally transmitted fear, distaste or love towards certain groups of animals may lead to important conservation issues as some species may survive to the detriment of others [37][38][39]. Thirdly, people living in rural areas are generally less tolerant than urban inhabitants [35,36,[40][41][42], which in turn is linked to another factor that may drive people's attitudes, i.e., direct experience with carnivores [34,36]. Urban interests are perceived as the dominating norm in society driving political processes and controlling policymaking processes [43].…”

Trust in researchers and researchers' statements in large carnivore conservation

“…Hunters and hunting traditions have also come to the fore regarding conservation of large carnivores (Ericsson & Heberlein, 2003;Treves, 2009). Hunters often report negative attitudes towards carnivores, and in particular towards wolf establishment, in addition to representing a strong voice in social debates about wildlife management (Agarwala et al, 2010;Karlsson & Sjostrom, 2007;Naughton-Treves et al, 2003;Torres et al, 2020). Researchers, on the other hand, often pinpoint how the politically set management goals for wolves are too low to achieve an ecologically sustainable population, that hunting of wolves should be restricted and these low population sizes will lead to negative factors like inbreeding depression (Akesson et al, 2016;Nilsson, 2004).…”