Public attitudes and values regarding a semi-urban feral ungulate

Abstract

Anthropogenic land use has transformed habitats globally, leading to human-wildlife cohabitation that presents challenges and opportunities for coexistence. This coexistence is contingent on the nature and frequency of human-animal interactions (HAI) that are primarily shaped by public attitudes and values. We designed a questionnaire using the Wildlife Attitudes and Values (WAVS) and Wildlife Value Orientations (WVO) frameworks to investigate public attitudes and values regarding a feral ungulate, the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), living in and around the South Lantau region of Hong Kong. We analysed 657 questionnaire responses (online = 550, in-person = 107) and additional comments from 56 respondents who completed their questionnaire in person. We conducted exploratory factor analyses using the questionnaire responses related to WAVS and WVO. Two latent factors from each framework were found: (i) WAVS–Tolerance and Appreciation and Social Benefits and Advocacy, explaining ~64% of data variance, and (ii) WVO–Preservation and Education, and Daily Interactions, explaining ~60% of data variance. We conducted a thematic analysis of the additional comments to explore how these factors contextualise public attitudes and values regarding buffalo. Using demographic data (self-reported gender, age, ethnicity, education level and place of birth), we conducted linear regression analyses to investigate the associations between demographic characteristics and the four latent factors. Gender, age, ethnicity and place of birth were strongly associated with the latent factors. We also found significant variation among participants living in the three districts of Hong Kong and whether they were South Lantau residents, with regard to the latent factors. These findings imply a complex interplay between public attitudes and values toward a feral animal and their relationships with the natural environment. Fifty-six respondents provided a total of 207 additional comments, highlighting Safety concerns and issues, Emotion and sentiment, and Livelihood impacts as key themes. Studying public attitudes and values, such as appreciation and preservation for semi-urban feral buffalo, points to methods for successful strategies using buffalo as ‘agents’ of conservation. This includes considering social, cultural and demographic factors for tailored approaches and integrating them into solutions for human-animal interactions, facilitating long-term conservation success. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.