Public Demand for Information and Assistance at the Human–Wildlife Interface

Abstract

Over 80% of Americans are now classified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as living in urban areas. Urban populations are interested in a variety of “non-traditional” wildlife issues, including human/wildlife conflicts, creating backyard habitat, and what to do with injured or orphaned wild animals. Residents in cities and suburbs are generally not prepared for the realities of living with wildlife (San Julian, 1987). Conditioned to expect support services from government sources, city dwellers often do not know who to contact with questions about wildlife. From January–June 2003 we conducted a review of the published literature on the transfer of wildlife information to the public using electronic databases, Internet searches, and reference tracing. Our review suggests there is a growing demand from the public for information, and an increasing need for effective information transfer strategies.

Keywords:

• human–wildlife interface
• urban wildlife
• public education
• information services
• natural resource agencies

Notes

Meyers, B. (2004). Pers. comm. with Bob Meyers, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services, June 2004.