Public Perceptions of Significant Wildlife in Hyogo,Japan |
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| Authors: | Ryo Sakurai Susan K Jacobson Gouhei Ueda |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Natural Resources &2. Environment and Department of Wildlife Ecology &3. Conservation , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA;4. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA;5. Toyooka Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Office, Hyogo Prefectural Government , Toyooka City , Japan |
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| Abstract: | Public perceptions of wildlife vary by species, context, and culture. Understanding these perceptions helps managers understand how their decisions may generate conflict among stakeholders. We mailed questionnaires to residents in the northern region of Hyogo prefecture in Japan to examine their willingness to tolerate wildlife species of greatest concern to government officials, including: (a) native species frequently causing agricultural damage (wild boar Sus scrofa], sika deer Cervus nippon], Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata]), (b) vulnerable species (Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus]), (c) endangered species (reintroduced oriental white stork Ciconia boyciana]), and (d) non-native, invasive species (nutria Myocastor coypus]). We used the Potential for Conflict Index (PCI2) to analyze our data, and found that respondents’ (n?=?868) acceptance was highest for the endangered oriental white stork and lowest for the non-native nutria. These perceptions also varied with sociodemographic characteristics, including a significant negative relationship between age and willingness to have boar, deer, macaque, bears, and nutria nearby. |
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| Keywords: | Japan Potential for Conflict Index (PCI) public survey tolerance wildlife |
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