Attitudes of wildlife park visitors towards returning wildlife species: An analysis of patterns and correlates

Understanding which variables mediate people's attitudes towards wildlife species is fundamental for improving human-wildlife coexistence in increasingly human-dominated landscapes. Based on questionnaire responses (a total of n = 589 responses, of which n = 459 were complete and used for statistical analysis), we investigated the attitudes of visitors to two wildlife parks located in different states of Germany towards three returning wildlife species: European bison (Bison bonasus), moose (Alces alces) and grey wolf (Canis lupus). We used a principal component analysis (PCA) and summarized responses to 13 questions pertaining to attitudes towards each species. Using the loadings of the first dimension of each species-specific PCA as the response variable, we fitted generalized linear models to assess how sociodemographic background and formal knowledge influenced people's attitudes. Our comparative, multi-species approach revealed the presence of both species-specific and universal factors influencing attitudes towards wildlife species. Respondents' gender, exposure, and negative experiences with a target species all had varying effects across species-specific models. Effects of age, residential context, and knowledge of wildlife were relatively consistent for all three species. Older visitors (>= 60 years of age) had more negative attitudes compared to other age groups; positive attitudes were more prevalent in respondents residing in urban areas while negative attitudes were linked to people residing in rural areas, and higher knowledge of wildlife species was associated with more positive attitudes. While all species-specific models explained relatively small amounts of the observed variation in people's attitudes to these iconic wildlife species, our findings provide quantitative evidence that enhancing people's knowledge about wildlife could be a key strategy for improving attitudes towards wildlife. Hence, environmental education programs and outreach activities are likely a crucial first step towards creating awareness, ultimately contributing to more sustainable human-nature relationships.