Livestock Farmers Engage in Ecotourism as a Result of Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Wildlife on Communal Lands in Namibia

Bibliographic Data

ID15327504
AuthorsLarkin A Powell (0000-0003-0570-4210, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, corresponding author), Uapindikirairje Kazahe (Namibia University of Science and Technology), Reinold Kharuxab (Namibia University of Science and Technology)
Year2017
Volume22
Issue3
Pages217-230
Publication date2017-03-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Dimensions of Wildlife (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-1209 • E-ISSN: 1533-158X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10871209.2017.1295490
OpenAlexW2593458955
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

An individual’s decision to support conservation efforts can be affected by personal attitudes. We interviewed 100 indigenous livestock farmers on Ehirovipuka and ≠Khoadi //Hôas communal conservancies in Namibia. As conservancy support groups work with farmers, there is a need to understand what influences farmer decisions to engage in ecotourism activities for livelihood. We evaluated cognitive characteristics of farmers and their attitudes toward 10 species of wildlife. Farmers had negative attitudes toward predators, more positive attitudes toward meat-producing species and a hornbill (Tockus sp.), and moderate attitudes toward African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhino (Diceros bicornis), which can cause damage but also attract tourists. We show support for a partial mediation model in which cognitive characteristics of farmers predicted attitudes toward predators and damage animals. The attitudes toward these species, in turn, predicted participation in the ecotourism industry

Agriculture · Agroforestry · Biology · Bushmeat · Ecotourism · Geography · Human–wildlife conflict · Indigenous · Livelihood · Livestock · Predation · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Tourism · Wildlife · Wildlife conservation · Wildlife management · Wildlife tourism · Animal and Plant Science Education · Animal Behavior and Reproduction · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology · Forestry

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