Managing Wildlife and Human Behavior to Address Human-Wildlife Interactions
Leong K, Melena S, Bensen K. 2016. Managing Wildlife and Human Behavior to Address Human-Wildlife Interactions. Pages 57-63. In Engagement, Education, and Expectations—The Future of Parks and Protected Areas: Proceedings of the 2015 George Wright Society Conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites.. Oakland, CA. March 29-April 3, 2015. George Wright Society. Hancock, Michigan
National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies (2006) state that the NPS will preserve animals’ natural behaviors, and may manage recreational activities that impact park resources. This paper documents a workshop that engaged participants in applying theory to practice, to understand and manage changes in animal and human behavior that may negatively affect wildlife and human health and safety. Session leaders first presented a case study at Redwood National Park that used targeted biological and sociological studies to reduce negative impacts of visitor behavior on the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), an endangered seabird. We then provided an overview of key principles and foundational concepts of animal behavior and human behavior that can be used to develop management strategies to affect the behavior of animals and people in parks. Our ultimate goal is to synthesize information and recommendations to reduce risks to people and animals and improve management and consistency across the NPS.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Leong, Kirsten; Melena, Sara; Bensen, Keith
- Units
- BRD , REDW
- Keywords
- animal behavior, communication, food conditioning, habituation, human dimensions, human-wildlife interactions, marbled murrelet, social marketing, visitor behavior