HUMAN CULTURE AND LARGE CARNIVORE CONSERVATION IN NORTH-AMERICA

We examined and compared human attitudes toward wolves (Canis lupus), grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), and mountain lions (Puma conc olor) in North America, with an emphasis on the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada. Primary research, literature review, and se condary data were included in the analysis. Wolves were historically p ersecuted by Euro-American settler, but they have been the focus of a significant attitudinal transformation during the latter half of this century. Many now view the wolf in positive and protective ways. Consi derable variation remains, however, in contemporary attitudes. Attitud es toward mountain lions have been highly ambivalent, never assuming t he prominence or clarity of views on wolves. The behavior and physiolo gy of the species, along with human psychological factors, are importa nt reasons for the difference in human perceptions of wolves and mount ain lions. We also examined attitudes toward grizzly bears. Many indig enous cultures revered grizzly bears, although European settlers were interested in exploiting and eliminating them. Today, perceptions of g rizzly bears range from positive to negative. Our recommendations incl ude targeting key groups with education programs, building support thr ough the use of spokespeople within the target groups, integrating hum an and ecological concerns, and designing species-specific education i nitiatives in some cases.