A glimpse of the long view: Human attitudes to an established population of Eurasian beaver ( castor fiber ) in the lowlands of south-east England

Introduction: The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a native species to Britain that after being absent for 400 years has been restored to the English countryside. The first beavers were released into a reserve in Kent in 2001/02, making this one of the first beaver release areas in the UK. This paper examines attitudes towards beaver presence in the landscape as well as public perception of beaver benefits and impacts with respect to the environment and human society. Methods: Qualitative questionnaires were utilised to investigate factors influencing social attitudes and support for beaver reintroduction, as well as the relationship between sociodemographic variables and attitudes. Inhabitants of Kent and its immediate surroundings were surveyed during June and July of 2020 (n=407) with a focus on three interest groups – environmentalists, farmers and the general public. Results: Perceptions included mostly beneficial impacts on nature and biodiversity, whereas less positive impacts were associated with economics, agriculture and fisheries. In general, local attitudes towards beavers were positive, mainly sustained by feelings of liking this wildlife species and valuing their presence. People´s attitudes positively influence willingness to support the reintroduction of beavers. Twenty years after their initial release, results indicate broad support for the beaver reintroduction in Kent and people´s tolerance of beavers. The majority of respondents were in favour of nonintrusive management techniques to mitigate beavers’ undesirable impacts. Discussion: These findings suggest the need to develop an optimal management strategy that incorporates public views and gives advice on the best approach to manage this wildlife species. This research provides theoretical and practical underpinning for beaver management and conservation in Britain

Conservation of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) : carnivore and people relationships in the southeast of Brazil

Maned wolves are endangered carnivores endemic to Brazil. This research aimed to compare the attitudes of interest groups towards the conservation of the maned wolf in urban and rural areas; to investigate how such attitudes may influence the maned wolf's status and conservation; and to recommend ways to incorporate such knowledge into strategies to conserve both wolf and habitat. The methodology used questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires targeted people living in the neighbourhood of conservation areas, staff and students (year 8 and sixth-form) of local schools; staff and visitors to conservation areas and zoos in three main research locations: Greater São Paulo, the Low Mogiana region and São Carlos city. Other conservation areas and zoos within the São Paulo state contributed further data. The relationship between socio-demographic factors and attitudes towards the maned wolf conservation was also investigated to identify the most positive and negative profiles of respondents. Overall, results indicate a lack of antagonism between urban and rural populations. Results suggest that negative attitudes towards the maned wolf related to: misconceptions about feeding habits and to a lack of clear differentiation between the maned wolf and Canis lupus; perceptions of threat connected to the presence of the maned wolf on people's properties; and possibly values undermining local wildlife. Results, however, consistently indicated local people's tolerance towards the species and towards occasional predation events. Results also indicate discrepancies existing between bio/education professionals' expectations of local people's attitudes and the actual attitudes displayed by the latter. Recommendations addressed misconceptions and values regarding the maned wolf, inclusion of the local community and their issues, and relationships between interest groups for the benefit of maned wolf conservation. The positive attitudes of a majority towards the maned wolf suggest they may support actions favourable to the species and maintain their position in case of conflict. However, further investigation is advised into local people's awareness of the causes of the decline of the maned wolf and of how their behaviour may affect populations of wolves.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Editorial: Human dimensions of animal translocations

Conservation translocations are intentional movements of wildlife for conservation purposes (IUCN 2013). They are widely used management interventions that offer solutions to wicked problems: reversal of dramatic population declines, local extinction of species, defaunation and empty forests, and wildlife restoration. As such, translocations are inherently complex and are most effective as part of a broader long-term integrated conservation effort. Human dimension considerations include human-wildlife interactions (HWIs) customarily treated as human-wildlife conflict but we also consider positive interactions; (2) relationships among stakeholders and the conservation network that creates the social milieu that influences governance and the perception of success or failure, and local community engagement and participation; (3) perceptions, values and ethics of stakeholders and local community; (4) issues about profits and other benefit sharing (such as ecotourism or wildlife watching revenues); and (5) planning, exiting, and the decision-making framework for translocations. Human dimensions are dynamic and influenced by context and by previous experience, trends in society, and individual processes. International biodiversity conservation conventions encourage the use of conservation translocations to restore populations of native species (see Bern Convention (1979), Article 11(2); and CBD (1992), Article 9(c)). They provide key actions to help achieve recovery goals and targets of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD, 2021). Although the IUCN’s guidelines for conservation translocations state that to establish a viable, free-ranging population in the wild it is necessary to enlist public support (IUCN/SSC 2013), considerations for human dimensions are often not well recognized or accounted for during implementation of these endeavors. Nevertheless, overlooking or treating such aspects lightly may jeopardise the success of the translocation project. The study of human dimensions requires multidisciplinary integration of knowledge systems. Formed in 2018, the Human-Wildlife Interactions Working group of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group (CTSG) aims to develop networks and collaborations, to provide advice to projects in all stages of development, and to support and inform the IUCN Conservation Translocation Guidelines. This special issue is part of our goal to promote discussion and share evidence, to aid practitioners in finding solutions to restore biodiversity

Attitudes to Carnivores’ Reintroductions in the UK and the role of zoos

Reintroductions may boost ecosystem function and environmental sustainability. However potential conflicts of interest suggest that the restoration of native wild carnivore species benefit from the understanding of its human dimensions. Research suggests that experiences with live animals in zoos may encourage empathy, through personal connection, which in turn facilitates greater concern towards biodiversity. During this talk we will report on phases one and two of a study that investigates attitudes towards native wild carnivores that have been considered for reintroduction in the UK. The project is being developed by a cross-disciplinary team (wildlife conservation, psychology, education). Focus groups and interviews were carried out in Kent (spring 2015) and the Scottish Highlands (spring 2016) to investigate attitudes towards biodiversity and the reintroduction of wild carnivores, with particular focus on two species native to the British Isles and currently considered for reintroduction (the European lynx Lynx lynx and the pine marten Martes martes) and the role of zoos in promoting support towards their conservation. Thematic analysis of data indicates three overarching themes: concern, motivation, and knowledge, with a fourth theme of zoos that related to all three. Amongst the findings there are suggestions that zoos may help ‘breaking down fears’, but also disparate views about the role of zoos in ‘protecting’ species. We will discuss our findings in relation to the context of place of residence and support for reintroduction. Our research aims to contribute to the design and implementation of effective conservation initiatives through an understanding of how people engage with their environment and of what makes people care.peerReviewe