Human behaviours, emotions, and perceptions in human-wildlife interactions: a mobile app-based approach

Abstract

Human-wildlife interactions (HWIs) are a fundamental aspect of human existence. The Netherlands is currently experiencing a resurgence of wildlife amidst the combined pressures of increased urbanisation, climate change and habitat conversion. The progressively limited space for humans and wildlife to coexist means encounters between them are becoming increasingly prevalent. While some welcome the successful conservation and rewilding efforts, others fear a rise in human-wildlife conflict. Current HWI literature suffers conflict bias, lacks multiple species insights, and overstates the influence of rational decision-making. HWIs encompass the behaviour of humans and animals in response to each other. Consequently, insight into the drivers of human behaviour is vital for mitigating conflict and promoting coexistence. While emotions and perceptions are thought to be influential, there are significant gaps in the current literature as to their influence. This study utilised citizen scientists while testing a mobile application prototype to record HWIs, a novel approach that enabled human behaviours, emotions, and perceptions to be recorded in near real-time. This case study focused on two natural areas in the Netherlands used by recreationists and home to diverse wildlife species. The influence of animal species on human behaviour, emotions and perceptions, and the relationships between these variables was explored as well as the participant experience using a mobile application to record HWIs. Data on HWIs were collected by citizen scientists using the mobile app over six weeks. Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests were employed to test the effect of animal species on human behaviours, emotions, and perceptions. Heat maps were created to identify the frequency of specific emotions and perceptions for each human behaviour. Correlation analysis and multiple ordinal regression were used to test for association between human behaviours, emotions, and perceptions. Key findings suggest that HWIs between recreationists and wildlife are overwhelmingly positive. Furthermore, animal species had a significant effect on human behaviour and perceptions, while human emotions were universally positive. Contrary to expectations, no significant relationship was identified between human emotions, perceptions, and behaviours indicating that the complexity and nuance of these variables were insufficiently captured with the chosen methodology. Qualitative analysis however provides a promising future avenue. The main implications for wildlife management involve communicating the positive nature of interactions to alter the current conflict-biased discourse. Lastly, this research provides a template for an innovative approach to further research into HWIs using a citizen science mobile app.