Anthrozoology and Conservation

Conservation is traditionally the domain of biologically or ecologically trained researchers and practitioners. As a result, conservation science has historically focused on how wildlife is affected by anthropogenic factors such as habitat destruction and exploitation. In recent years, practitioners have come to realize that the social, historical, political, and symbolic meanings around conservation and wildlife all influence how people relate to and behave towards wildlife and conservationists. Methodological approaches specific to, or as used in, anthropology allow for a more nuanced understanding of what are often complex, historically grounded interactions/relations. Such research can reveal complex sociocultural consequences for individuals living around wildlife and also reveal that people may hold favorable views about species but demonstrate contradictory behaviors. Anthrozoology provides a nuanced perspective on people–wildlife relations which can enhance conservation efforts

Conservation psychology · Habitat · Sociocultural evolution · Wildlife · Wildlife conservation · Wildlife management