Support to Iberian lynx reintroduction and perceived impacts: Assessments before and after reintroduction

Abstract

AbstractThe assessment of the human dimensions of wildlife reintroduction projects is essential for their success. To date, few longitudinal studies (if any) have compared attitudes and perceived impacts before and after human‐assisted large predator reintroduction. In this study, we evaluated public (n = 1582) and hunters' (n = 773) support and perceived benefits and concerns before and after the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) (2007–2008 and 2015–2016, respectively) in southern Spain through a telephone survey. Most respondents supported lynx reintroduction, although support was slightly lower among hunters. Furthermore, support remained very high some years after lynx release. Our findings also revealed that perceptions toward the majority of benefits and concerns did not change after lynx reintroduction, and that those supporting reintroduction perceived more benefits, while opponents were more concerned. This suggests that efforts should focus on those opponents to reintroduction to ensure recognition of the benefits associated with predator restoration, including new tourism opportunists and predator's ecological values. Our research also points at the need of studying more in depth the views of those who oppose to predator reintroduction and of decision‐makers (e.g., landowners or game managers) when poaching is still a risk for restored populations even if the social context is favorable, as in our case‐study.