Public Support, Knowledge, and Attitudes Towards Mongoose Control in St. Kitts, West Indies

Abstract

This study focuses on understanding public support for the control of the invasive small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) in order to reduce predation pressure on endangered sea turtles. A sample of 104 residents and 103 visitors on St. Kitts was verbally interviewed about their knowledge, attitudes, and support for mongoose control. Respondents generally valued mongooses, but there was a high level of support for controlling them, preferably through non-lethal means, if these animals were perceived to present disease, or threats to agriculture or conservation efforts. Differences in responses were seen between residents and visitors, and by gender and level of education, showing that attitudes towards mongoose control were not homogeneous. The low perceived risks, perceived benefits, and positive attitudes towards mongooses found in this study seem to not favor lethal control measures, but may allow for non-lethal control if the risks can be made apparent to residents and visitors. Helping people formulate accurate perceptions of the risks and benefits is an important part of developing support for a management action. This invasive species management situation might benefit from a focus on protecting sea turtles to make it a specific and identifiable risk management action rather than focusing on generic mongoose control goals.