Public perceptions and attitudes toward urban wildlife encounters – a decade of change

Basak, S. M., Hossain, M. S. , O'Mahony, D. T., Okarma, H., Widera, E. and Wirzbowska, I. A. (2022) Public perceptions and attitudes toward urban wildlife encounters – a decade of change. Science of the Total Environment, 834, 155603. (doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155603) (PMID:35523348)

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Abstract

Europe is currently undergoing dynamic land use changes causing the expansion of urban habitat, which is driving wildlife species to colonise conurbations, resulting in an increased likelihood of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Understanding people's attitudes toward wildlife is essential to manage these conflicts. This study assessed people's attitudes toward urban wildlife, the types of conflicts that existed, preferences for managing conflict situations, and determined any changes in perceptions of urban wildlife over a decade. A questionnaire survey of residents of Krakow, the second-largest city in Poland, was conducted in 2010 (n = 721) and repeated in 2020 (n = 887). We found that encounters with certain urban wildlife such as wild boars, red squirrels, roe deer, brown hares, and red foxes had increased significantly in 2020 compared to 2010. Respondents reported that wild boar and beavers did not show fear when encountering humans. Stone martens were considered the most nuisance wildlife species in 2010, while in 2020 wild boar were the most conflictual wildlife species. There were additional reports of conflicts with roe deer and red foxes. The most frequent HWC responses were personal anxiety, intrusion into property and destruction of crops, which increased significantly over the decade, independent of respondents' gender. Respondents preferred nonlethal methods to mitigate conflicts. The study provides valuable information and knowledge on changes in people's attitudes toward urban wildlife that can help with wildlife management in urban areas. Incorporating perception and attitude data from the public, along with a multi-stakeholder approach that includes wildlife professionals, in the planning and design of future urban environments is critical to minimise HWC.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sohel, Dr MD Sarwar
Authors: Basak, S. M., Hossain, M. S., O'Mahony, D. T., Okarma, H., Widera, E., and Wirzbowska, I. A.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:Science of the Total Environment
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0048-9697
ISSN (Online):1879-1026
Published Online:04 May 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Science of the Total Environment 834: 155603
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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