Information shapes attitudes and matters for human-carnivore coexistence

Understanding how exposure and information affects public opinion towards returning large carnivores in Europe is critical for human-carnivore coexistence, especially for developing efficient and de-escalating communication... [ view full abstract ]

Understanding how exposure and information affects public opinion towards returning large carnivores in Europe is critical for human-carnivore coexistence, especially for developing efficient and de-escalating communication strategies. We conducted a phone survey (n=1250) in Germany to understand how information sources on wolves and exposure to wolves (Canis lupus) could affect people’s attitudes in Germany as a whole, and in the specific region where wolves initially recolonized and have been present since 2000. We found significant differences in attitudes and knowledge about wolves as well as in the use and frequency of information sources between the two population samples of the phone survey. Higher knowledge, information from books, films and science-based information, and higher trust in information sources related positively with tolerance towards wolves. Comparatively, information from press or TV news were associated with more negative opinions. Our results highlight the important role of information in a specific context of coexistence with wolves. We recommend monitoring people’s perception of carnivore-related risks since information can be diffused and received differently across cultures, as shown by a complementary assessment of the media coverage of a carnivore-related fatality. Thus, scientists and practitioners should actively engage with journalists and the media in order to provide science-based information and build trust among the public, as a process to dampen extreme opinions and foster human-carnivore coexistence.