Perspectives on wolves after their recolonization in Flanders, Belgium
Hilde Vervaecke1, Thaana Van Dessel1, Peter Galbusera2
1Agro-and Biotechnology Research Group, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Hospitaalstraat 21, Sint-Niklaas 9100, Belgium.
Royal Society Open Science
|March 20, 2025
Summary
Public views on wolf recolonization in Flanders were unclear. A survey found attitudes toward hunting, not just hunter status, significantly influenced perspectives on wolves, aiding conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
Background:
- The recolonization of wolves (Canis lupus) in Flanders presented an opportunity to study public perceptions.
- Understanding public perspectives is crucial for effective wildlife management and conservation initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate public perspectives on wolves in Flanders during their recolonization.
- To identify demographic and contextual factors influencing these perspectives.
- To explore relationships between attitudes towards hunting and wolf perceptions.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted to collect demographic and contextual data.
- Redundancy analysis was employed to identify key explanatory variables.
- Perspectives were defined to include attitudes towards wolves, belonging, arrival, and conflicts.
Main Results:
- Demographic factors like residency, education, age, gender, and dog ownership were associated with wolf perspectives, but with limited explanatory power.
- Hunter status was a significant factor, with hunters generally holding negative views on wolves.
- Attitudes towards hunting emerged as the strongest predictor of wolf perspectives, even more so than hunter status itself.
Conclusions:
- Attitudes towards hunting, rather than just being a hunter, are a critical factor in shaping public perspectives on wolves.
- Recognizing the nuances in stakeholder attitudes, particularly towards hunting, is essential for successful wolf conservation management.
- The study suggests that attitudes towards hunting can serve as a proxy for understanding broader public perspectives on wolves.
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