Knowledge and perceptions of birds of prey among local inhabitants in Chile: implications for the biological control of rodent pests

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the level of knowledge and the perceptions of a local population with a high indigenous component (38.5%) towards birds of prey in order to address wildlife conservation strategies. We determined knowledge of birds of prey and biological control of rodent pests by applying a closed questionnaire; and perceptions of these species by applying a perception survey. Our study subjects were rural and urban residents in southern Chile. The results indicate low levels of knowledge about birds of prey and mainly positive perceptions, despite the presence of superstitions about raptors. These fi ndings show the importance of socio-cultural dimensions and their implications for environmental education-which should be oriented towards changing attitudes to target species and particularly belief systems which determine attitudes. These changes are very important for raptor conservation programmes and reliance on raptors for the biological control of rodent pests.

Unravelling negative interactions between humans, mammalian carnivores and raptors in South America

“…Moreover, although people are aware of the important ecosystem service that birds such as owls perform by eating pest species (e.g., rodents), owls are traditionally considered diabolic and persecuted in Argentinian Patagonia (Molares and Gurovich 2018). Similarly, superstitions are present in Chile, where some birds of prey are thought to bring bad luck (Muñoz-Pedreros et al 2018).…”

Three planned experiments in environmental education in rural sectors of southern Chile

“…To determine knowledge on the subjects 'birds of prey, hantavirus and biological control', we applied a questionnaire with closed questions; to determine perceptions we applied an instrument for measuring qualitative variables, consisting of a Likert-type attitude survey (see MUÑOZ-PEDREROS, 2007). The instruments were created for a homologation study in Southern Chile in 2003, and were subsequently refined and validated (MUÑOZ-PEDREROS, et al, 2018). Based on this information, we developed a toolbox containing the education and environmental communication material that was transferred to the target population, mainly through a theoretical-practical residential course lasting three days, and through permanent contact by means of a network administered from a webpage.…”

Human-Wildlife Conflicts in the Southern Yungas: What Role do Raptors Play for Local Settlers?

“…For example, negative perceptions and attitudes may be associated with social representations rooted in cultural or traditional views, related with symbolic, meaning-making and emotive realms, that for local settlers could be more important than scientifically-acquired evidence [ 27 , 28 ]. In recent years, several studies have addressed this and other factors of the human dimension of human-raptor conflict and contributed to the comprehension of local perceptions towards raptors in different regions and environments [ 21 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”