1999 · 81 citations · 0 references
Natural ResourcesEcologyEnvironmental ManagementInvasive Species ManagementWildlife BiologyWildlife ManagementHuman-wildlife InteractionsWildlife AttitudesWildlife BehaviorWildlife ConservationWildlife EcologyWildlife Management DecisionsAttitudes Toward Urban WildlifeLocal Attitudes Toward WildlifeNuisance Wildlife ManagementPublic Attitudes Toward WildlifePublic Perceptions Of WildlifeVocal ResistanceWildlife Conservation PlanningWildlife Disturbance Management
Despite notable successes, wildlife damage management in suburban situations is widely perceived as difficult because of the vocal resistance of some suburban residents to many mitigation measures. We examined suburban residents' experiences with, concerns about, and acceptance of management actions for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), beaver (Castor canadensis), or Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in 3 areas of New York state. We considered 4 types of interventions which represented degrees of invasiveness to the animals of concern: human behavior modification, nonlethalnoninvasive, nonlethal-invasive, and lethal. Results demonstrated that residents' concerns about wildlife were elevated by increasingly severe problem experiences. In addition, residents' acceptance of invasive and lethal methods to resolve wildlife problems in suburban areas was higher than many wildlife managers might expect. Contrary to our predictions, acceptance of invasive and lethal methods was more strongly related to concerns about nuisance and economic damage issues than to concerns about health and safety issues. Our results provide useful information to wildlife professionals for management planning and communication regarding problem-causing wildlife in suburban areas.