Perceptions and Attitudes among Venders towards Non-human Primates in Mihintale Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Lanka

摘要: A number of studies have revealed that age, gender, ethnicity, level education, political attitude, landholding size, period residency and religion all influence attitudes towards wildlife. Attitudes also exhibit regional differences. However, religious beliefs Sri Lankans cultural practices play an important role when deciding the perceptions toward primates. An feature this country is presence monkeys at Buddhist temples archeological sites. Social environmental conditions are deeply inextricably linked, component conservation, management human-wildlife conflict, therefore examination people’s behaviour regarding wildlife factors these perceptions. This study was carried out in Mihintale Sanctuary Anuradhapura district. To understand nature human attitude primates sanctuary, mixed methods approach used for data collection. Interviews were conducted from April 2016 to September 2016. Direct interviews opportunistically with 57 venders Sinhalese language learn about macaques langurs their interactions humans. The relationship complicated filled ambiguity. Venders happy see other mammals wild, however, not welcome near business places. High population numbers inability control major concerns venders. onward each primate species depended on interaction between humans species. negative gray toque macaques, due stealing displayed toys, food items damage cause roofs small shops, threatening pilgrims taking by force. no purple-faced leaf langurs. conservation understanding perspective primates, entwined scientific evidence, offers a holistic one problems Lanka, conflict.  KEYWORDS: R eligious beliefs, Human-wildlife Primates, Perspective, Conservation