Understanding Areas of Conflict and Consensus Regarding Wood Bison Management in Alaska, U.S.A.

Wood bison have been extinct in Alaska for over 170 years, until 130 animals were reintroduced to the state in the Spring and Summer of 2015. These wood bison were restored through a human dimensions, consensus-based process,... [ view full abstract ]

Wood bison have been extinct in Alaska for over 170 years, until 130 animals were reintroduced to the state in the Spring and Summer of 2015. These wood bison were restored through a human dimensions, consensus-based process, however it remains largely unknown how the animals will be managed on the landscape. In this study, we surveyed urban and rural Alaska residents in order to understand the effect of geography and proximity to the resource on resident’s preference for situational management of wood bison. Data were collected in urban areas using a mail-back questionnaire (n = 515) and by on-site interviews with rural residents (n = 31) between June and September of 2015. A total of 1,450 surveys were sent out by mail to a random selection of residents. The survey asked respondents to state their preferred wood bison management strategies under specific situations of potential human-bison conflict. Residents from urban and rural study areas differ in their preference of bison management particularly in more severe situations. Urban and rural residents were reluctant to use lethal management of wood bison even under situations that threaten human property. Wildlife managers need to understand there will be a backlash from urban residents regarding lethal management, but to still act as rural residents expected to protect the resource are in favor of lethal management when human injury occurs.