Communicating information about the psychology of a wild carnivore, the red fox, influences perceived attitudinal changes but not overall tolerance in people

Abstract

Studies on wild animal psychology are growing in popularity due to the important role they play in understanding how wildlife is responding to human-driven environmental changes. However, communicating psychological information to the general public could undermine specific conservation objectives by encouraging greater persecution of a species (e.g., "bold" predators). Through a national-level survey (n = 1,364 participants), we tested whether communicating information about the boldness and problem-solving abilities of a wild carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), influences peoples tolerance of them. Half of participants were given information on fox psychology (either a video or a press release about fox boldness and problem-solving), the other half were given content related to animal ecology (either a video or a press release about fox habitat use). Afterwards, all participants completed the same 24-item questionnaire evaluating their tolerance of foxes. Although the participants given information about fox psychology were more likely to report a perceived attitude change due to the content they were given, their attitudes relating to fox tolerance remained unaffected regardless of content or format. We encourage further research to understand how communicating different types of information might influence, either positively or negatively, peoples tolerance of a species as more studies on wild animal psychology are published, and the publics awareness of how animal psychology relates to human-wildlife interactions becomes more widespread. HighlightsO_LIStudies on wild animal psychology are growing in popularity C_LIO_LIThe impact of animal psychology research on public attitudes is unclear C_LIO_LIWe tested if fox psychology research influences public tolerance C_LIO_LIPeople given fox psychology information reported greater attitude change C_LIO_LIThis perceived change did not impact peoples overall tolerance of foxes C_LI