TITLE

Encounter Frequency with the Urbanized San Joaquin Kit Fox Correlates with Public Beliefs and Attitudes Toward the Species

AUTHOR(S)

Bjurlin, Curtis D.; Cypher, Brian L.

PUB. DATE

September 2005

SOURCE

Endangered Species Update;Sep2005, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p107

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

A systematic public survey cart prove vital to resource managers as a means of quantifying willingness to protect endangered species, helping to focus education, and evaluating the factors that influence public beliefs and attitudes. During the fall of 2003, we conducted a postal survey of 879 randomly selected citizens of Bakersfield, California to assess the factors related to beliefs and attitudes regarding a robust population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) living within city limits. Of 248 respondents, 89% indicated familiarity with the kit fox. Of these self-identified knowledgeable respondents, 86% had seen an urbanized fox at least once. Those who reported the most encounters, however, were more likely to incorrectly perceive kit foxes as common or abundant rangewide, suggesting a failure or absence of education regarding species status and obstacles to recovery. Despite this misconception, many respondents appreciated (40%) or were neutral (45%) toward urbanized foxes and supported their protection (49%). Furthermore, respondent exposure to and appreciation of foxes were directly related, suggesting that this urbanized population may act as an ambassador for the species. As natural and low-density human landscapes are converted to urban and suburban uses, wildlife-human encounters will continue to increase. This study identifies some of the ways these encounters may influence public opinion.

ACCESSION #

20230175

Tags: SAN Joaquin kit fox;  WILDLIFE conservation;  NATURE conservation;  ENDANGERED species;  RARE animals;  CONSERVATION of natural resources;  ENVIRONMENTAL protection;  ENVIRONMENTAL law

 

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