The relationships between the maned wolf and people

The maned wolf is a large carnivore, the largest one in South America. Although it was described as a wolf by early agents of the Portuguese crown, it is monophyletic and therefore difficult to mistake with any other species. The fact that the maned wolf is unique and distinctive is important if its image is to represent the Cerrado biome and all of its dwindling biodiversity. Do people’s relationships with the maned wolf make it charismatic and likable enough to earn the badge of flagship species for the Cerrado conservation? The validity of the one species approach to conservation has been questioned in favour of a focus on ecosystems. However the single species has its merits when the species in question “plays the role of keystone or umbrella species…” (Boitani et al. 2004:158; McNeely 2000; Gittleman et al. 2001; Sergio et al. 2006). The maned wolf is, arguably, a charismatic carnivore with a wide home range, qualifying it to fit both roles. Between 2005 and 2008 I conducted a field study on local people’s attitudes towards the maned wolf in the state of São Paulo that helped to bring an answer to this question. The objectives of my study were to shed some light into associations between the way local people perceive the maned wolf and its decline, and to enable a comparison between such associations in urban and rural areas. The study aimed to improve the understanding of people’s relationships with the maned wolf to help the planning of conservation strategies for the species. In this chapter I review and discuss key issues that are instrumental to the panorama of local people’s attitudes towards the maned wolf in the southeast of Brazil, referring to data from my research as evidence

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

Ecology and conservation of the maned wolf: introduction

Wolves are considered controversial figures worldwide: mythical creatures as well as troublemakers, their conservation can polarize extreme views and it often is riddled with conflicts. In recent years much effort has focussed on the discussion of how to conserve large carnivores, such as wolves, while addressing public concerns. The maned wolf, however, has mostly eluded the discussion stage. With its solitary habits and unusual fruit-eating diet, the endangered maned wolf roams the grasslands of South America, playing a vital part in maintaining the integrity of this biodiversity hotspot. Compared to other large canid species, little is known about this unique species and the peculiarities of its relationship with local people and the environment, and the reasons for its decline, making research about the species an urgent concern. Considering the maned wolf’s uniqueness, issues discussed in this book are also relevant to the conservation of other large carnivores. The elements that contribute to the construction of the relationships and also to the potential conflict between people and wild animals, and particularly carnivores, are very similar worldwide. The ecological role of the maned wolf as a large predator is also similar to that of other predator species: like many large carnivores maned wolves are keystone species, and also potential umbrella and flagship species for the conservation of their habitat. Like other carnivores, they have progressively strived to survive in human occupied environments, as their natural habitat is encroached by farms. Endangered species of carnivores face similar problems linking their decline with the value that people place on resources and human activities; protected areas are insufficient to guarantee their survival, and the importance of including local land owners in conservation becomes more evident. These common issues are discussed along the following chapters as researchers and practitioners from different fields disclose the maned wolf’s compelling story

‘Whole earth?’ using an exhibition to raise sustainability awareness at a UK University

Despite mounting evidence of global environmental stress, many educationalists appear to be discounting warnings of ecological collapse from scientists, futurists and community leaders. One way of promoting sustainability awareness may be to combine cognitive reasoning with emotional awareness. This article considers the complex dynamics relating to attitudinal and behavioural institutional change by exploring the impact of a large-scale exhibition called ‘Whole Earth?’ on the staff and students at a UK university over a 15-month period. The exhibition contained a wide range of powerful visual images and drew on a famous protest song to frame its wider message. Although there were a variety of responses, the exhibition had the overall effect of raising the profile of sustainability across the university. Could initiatives of this kind, which are open-ended in character and which harness the arts to engender an emotional response, offer a model which could be used more widely

The return of a cultural icon to Kent: attitudes towards the red-billed chough​

National and international conventions encourage the use of reintroduction to restore populations of native species. BIAZAs' actions for the conservation of biodiversity are guided by WAZA (TheWorld Association of Zoos and Aquariums)and the IUCN​. The IUCNs guidelines for Reintroductions state that to establish a viable, free-ranging population in the wild it is necessary to enlist public support (IUCN, 2013). ​ An understanding of the attitudes of varied sectors of society about the focal species helps projects address key issues more effectively, saving time and funding. The red-billed chough was once widespread in coastal areas but today it is Britain’s most endangered corvid, mostly due to changes in farming practises. ​ In the UK fewer than 450 pairs remain in small and isolated populations. ​The chough has been missing from Kent for more than 200 years. After decades of restauration the local chalk grasslands now provide the perfect conditions for its return. The aims of this study was to inform the reintroduction project planned for summer 2023, a collaboration between Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust and other partners. They wish to establish a population that can connect with others along the southern coast. ​ In the summer of 2022 we conducted focus groups and interviews to learn about how different groups and local residents relate to the chough, its conservation, reintroduction and management of populations. ​ Questions were structured based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, however, the main point of focus groups is to give local people a voice and listen to emerging themes that will be of interest for further investigation. ​ The findings from the focus groups and interviews together with questionnaires, will provide a baseline that can be revisited and compared with future attitudinal surveys, providing evidence of changes in attitudes over time in response to interventions and campaigns by the Chough Reintroduction Project.​ In this presentation we discuss the findings from the focus groups and make recommendations.

30 years of ecopedagogy: Origin and reinvention

The question of a pedagogy that promotes the development of sustainability responsible students is at the centre of education for sustainability. Ecopedagogy incorporates socio-environmental concerns and promotes reflection on the multiple and complex relationship society-nature, engendering a criticism of the current unsustainable socioeconomic model, modern thought and the various forms of exploitation of life. We suggest that Ecopedagogy may provide the theoretical and practical approaches to foster sustainability teaching and inspire educators and students in a higher education context. Our presentation is an introduction to Ecopedagogy and the ongoing process of reinvention and establishment of new theoretical and practical bases, with its new challenges in the current time we live. We offer a review of the 30 years of Ecopedagogy from its Latin American origins; paths travelled along these years; and the process of reinvention of Ecopedagogy based on the three pillars of criticism: patriarchy, modernity and capitalism. We conclude with a set of propositions for a collective journey in view of the principles of Ecopedagogy as a field of academic investigation and social praxis

Human-wildlife interactions in conservation translocations: Developing guidelines

Workshop: Reintroductions and rewilding can be powerful tools in biodiversity recovery. We will introduce key Human-Wildlife Interaction issues that take place along the life cycle of a conservation translocation project, from planning to post-exit stages. Participants will be invited to discuss their experiences in HWI related to each of these stages, aiming to expand on findings from the Guidelines to Facilitate Human-Wildlife Interactions in Conservation Translocations (2022) to inform planning and promote wildlife conservation, collaboration amongst groups and coexistence

Developing guidelines for the human-wildlife interactions in conservation translocations

Workshop: Conservation translocation is a widely used management intervention to restore locally extinct or augment severely depleted species. Human dimension issues that influence the achievement of these aims are encountered at five different stages of the project life cycle: 1) Planning, 2) Initiation, 3) Implementation, 4) Ending, and 5) Post-exit stage. Overlooking such dimension may jeopardise the success of the project. Understanding and addressing human-wildlife interaction issues improve community involvement, peers’ acceptance and the support from various interest groups. In this workshop we propose to discuss participants’ experiences in human dimensions related to each of the 5 stages of a project’s life cycle.  Discussions aims to expand on findings from the IUCN/SSC CTSG HWIWG 2022 Guidelines to Facilitate Human-Wildlife Interactions in Conservation Translocations, to identify best practice and key issues for each stage to inform planning and promote wildlife conservation, collaboration amongst groups and coexistence

Attitudes towards the maned wolf amongst adolescents in the southeast of Brazil

The relationships between people and carnivores are a worldwide concern for the conservation of species and habitats. The maned wolf is an endangered, endemic canid inhabiting the southeast of Brazil - highly populated and rich in biodiversity and endemism. Strategies to conserve this key stone species may benefit the also declining Cerrado biome. The attitudes of teenagers towards wild carnivores are also of worldwide interest as future citizens and future decision makers. The present study investigates the attitudes of two age groups (12-13 and 16-17) towards the maned wolf. Questionnaires aimed to identify selected attitudes, beliefs and knowledge in relation to the maned wolf in urban areas of three locations in the São Paulo state. Responses were analysed according to age groups, gender, location and experiences concerning the maned wolf. Results suggest that positive attitudes declined with age; gender have very little effect on attitudes; zoos, as well as seeing the maned wolf in nature may increase support for the conservation of the species amongst the younger group; while identification with some maned wolf attributes amongst older teens may foster intentions to help the species. Conservation strategies and environmental education can help to provide early positive experiences of contact with the maned wolf and the Cerrado and be tailored to address attitudes in different age groups. This study can inform the planning of effective environmental educational strategies to foster long term support for the conservation of the maned wolf and the Cerrado