Influences to regard select species as wildlife

The cognitive hierarchy model is a key framework in predicting human behavior. In wildlife management the wildlife value orientations and attitudes toward a specific species can help predict the public’s preferred management... [ view full abstract ]

The cognitive hierarchy model is a key framework in predicting human behavior. In wildlife management the wildlife value orientations and attitudes toward a specific species can help predict the public’s preferred management strategies. However, understanding which species the public consider to be wildlife is an important step in using this framework to inform management plans. We explore the species the public consider to be wildlife throughout the United States based on location, connections to wildlife, wildlife values orientations, and other demographics. Mississippi State University conducted a survey of the public in all 50 United States sending 400 surveys to each state, 200 to urban residents and 200 to rural. A list of 20 species was provided to survey participants and they were asked to identify those they considered to be wildlife. Simple response questions were used to determine if the participant was a pet owner, a hunter, or fed wildlife and likert-type statements were used to measure wildlife value orientations. Qualitative analysis was used to categorize wildlife species responses and regression analyses were run for each of the respondent categories. The species identified as wildlife by the public varied greatly among states and based on wildlife value orientations. Respondents with a domination value orientation choose a fewer number of species compared to mutualists who indicated they thought all provided species were wildlife. Identified wildlife species also varied between urban and rural residents, level of education, and gender.