Understanding Exurban Residents' Tolerance for the Florida Panther
Elizabeth Pienaar
University of Florida
Elizabeth Pienaar is an Assistant Professor (Environmental Economics and Human Dimensions of Wildlife) in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. She received her PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California - Davis. Her primary research objectives include:
1) using environmental economics methodologies to identify and examine priority wildlife and resource management issues, including the valuation of wildlife, habitat and ecosystem services, and the design of incentives to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat on private lands;2) assessing public perceptions related to human-wildlife interactions, and people’s willingness to engage in appropriate actions to mitigate conflicts with wildlife; and3) determining how government and non-government agencies may better engage with stakeholders to attain conservation outcomes.
Abstract
The recovery of the Florida panther depends on range expansion through the state of Florida and into the southeastern United States. Inevitably, as the panther returns to its historic range, human-panther conflicts will... [ view full abstract ]
The recovery of the Florida panther depends on range expansion through the state of Florida and into the southeastern United States. Inevitably, as the panther returns to its historic range, human-panther conflicts will arise. Human tolerance for negative interactions with the panther will be an important component of panther recovery efforts – especially given development pressures in Florida that are resulting in the conversion of rangelands to residential communities. We use the case study of Golden Gate Estates (GGE), an exurban community in southwest Florida (the current breeding range of the panther), to investigate people’s tolerance for panther interactions on the urban-rural fringe. The highest number of documented human-panther conflicts has occurred in GGE.
In 2015, we implemented a mail-based survey in GGE to investigate community members’ level of tolerance for the panther and whether they have experienced panther depredation of their domestic animals. Contrary to prior expectations, the majority of survey respondents were at least somewhat tolerant of the Florida panther. Based on regression analysis, we found that individuals with ecocentric value orientations and higher levels of social trust in the agencies tasked with panther management were more tolerant of the panther. Respondents who were aware of the panther’s presence in southwest Florida prior to purchasing a house in GGE were also more tolerant of the panther. Older individuals, livestock owners, and people who reported that they are concerned about the panther’s presence in GGE were less tolerant of the panther. Respondents most heavily relied on television, newspapers, and neighbors for information related to the panther, and were most willing to collaborate with neighbors to manage panther-related risks.
Our results suggest that panther conservation efforts could be augmented by investing in community engagement through the use of a community liaison officer (who is trained in communication, stakeholder engagement, and conflict management) and local news sources. Education of community members on appropriate measures to prevent panther depredations will also be an important component of recovery efforts.
Authors
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Phillip Rodgers
(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
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Elizabeth Pienaar
(University of Florida)
Topic Areas
Topics: Engaging with the Public , Topics: Human-Wildlife Conflict , Topics: Cognitive Research (Values, Attitudes, Behaviors)
Session
W-2B » HWC: Big Cats II Americas (10:00 - Wednesday, 20th September, Assembly Hall B)
Presentation Files
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