Factors influencing local attitudes towards the conservation of leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis in rural Taiwan

摘要: Understanding the human dimension is critical for effective conservation management of species involved in human-carnivore conflict. There also a need to recognize who among local population supportive wildlife conservation. We investigated how people's attitudes and knowledge leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis are influenced by socio-demographic variables, encounter rates nature encounters with felid Taiwan. During June-August 2014 we interviewed 150 residents Miaoli County northern Taiwan, where known occur. More than half participants indicated they were The majority those expressed positive towards protection belonged younger, more educated groups. Negative most prevalent farmers, reported highest incidence negative experiences, mainly involving predation poultry. provide recommendations mitigate human-felid conflict, including changes animal husbandry practices. describe efforts this general Taiwan could be improved, example through incentive awareness-raising programmes. (Less)