With the aim of informing professional public and one of the key target groups (the hunters), we published an professional article in the journal of the Slovene hunters (Lovec), in which we: (i) presented the most important findings of the review of the scientific literature about the conflicts between the crows and humans, with emphasis on the urban environment, and the findings about crows as predators of birds’ nests; (ii) comprehensively presented the project, its objectives, planned activities and the manner of execution, with the intention to promote the activity of both co-financers in the field of game research, to increase the visibility of the research group, and particularly to stimulate professional public to participate in the project (as a valuable field co-workers). Importantly, we received the first positive responses immediately after the publication of the article.
F.27 Contribution to preserving/protecting natural and cultural heritage
COBISS.SI-ID: 21187336There are many factors that affect peoples' attitude towards animals such as: age, socioeconomic status, level of education and cultural experiences. Population of Hooded crows has recently significantly increased, so we wanted to find out what is the attitude of people in connection to Hooded crows. We set two broad research questions: (i) What factors affect the intention of people; and (ii) Whether there are differences in the understanding of crows, the opinions on the coexistence of crows and humans, the acceptability of measures for the management of crows and feelings towards crows according to gender, age, level of education, area of residence, negative experiences with crows, membership in the DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia, the ownership or guardianship of domestic animals and membership in a hunting club. The survey was conducted by an online survey, which covered 1045 respondents. We found that self-belief on ability to distinguish between different species of crow affects knowledge on the crows, which is something we cannot trust. Negative experiences as well as membership in a hunting association affect peoples' opinion on the coexistence of crows and humans. Gender affects that opinion very little. Negative experience and membership in the DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia are two factors that affect the acceptability of measures. On the other hand gender, level of education and membership in a hunting clubs affect that very little. Negative experiences are the main factors that affect attitudes towards Hooded crows. All factors don't always contribute equally to the formation of behavioural intentions. We designed a model after Ajzen, but although we used multiple regression we did not manage to demonstrate that the selected factors affect the intention of people to sign a petition against measures to reduce the number of crows or, contrary to this, to participate in the implementation of measures to reduce the number of crows.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 21567752Organisms/species in cities are called urban exploiters, as they have successfully adapted to human disturbance and pollution. Urban exploiters also include the Hooded crow (Corvus cornix). In the past, it lived in rural habitats. In recent years, however, it has colonized all major cities and towns in Slovenia and has thus begun to cause problems considering interests and understanding of citizens. The main purpose of this study was to determine the presence of the Hooded crow in the area of Nova Gorica, the problems caused by it, the attitude of hunters and the general public towards this species, and potential management measures toward the species. We tried to evaluate the number of nests and breeding pairs, as well as the abundance of individuals at roost sites throughout the year. We deepened the knowledge of the species, its ecology and its relationships with the local inhabitants and thus raised the awareness of the citizens about its living habits. We found out that the local inhabitants do not regard the Hooded crow as a disturbing factor. As any plant and animal species in the ecosystem, the Hooded crow has its important ecological role. Indeed, it performs activities which are useful for humans, but are not adequately known in the public (e.g. zoohory and the depredation of insects and other pests). Although in Nova Gorica parks are an ideal place for the species to live in, the Hooded crow does not pose any problems there. A significant nesting preference towards London plane (Platanus x hispanica) was found by the field inspection of the nests presence.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 1538234564Project and project results were presented several times at the scientific and professional conferences. The project, problematics and importance of (Hooded) crows in urban environment were presented by the talk »(Hooded) crows in urban environment: conflicts with inhabitants« (Flajšman et al. 2015) at the 7th Slovene Hunting day (Gornja Radgona, 18 April 2015). Two lectures were provided also at the scientific conferences, i.e. at the: (i) 4th Hunting and Game Management Symposium, which was organised by us between 5–7 November 2015 in Velenje (the project leader was also the main organizer and the head of the Scientific committee) we provided a talk »How to solve problems with hooded crows (Corvus cornix) in urban areas: Attitudes of Slovene citizens toward mitigation measures« (Špur et al. 2015), in which results of on-line survey about attitudes of people towards crows and about acceptability of different measures for management of crows in urban environment were presented. (ii) 5th Hunting and Game Management Symposium (Debrecen, Hungary, 10–12 November 2016) we provided a talk »Hooded crow (Corvus cornix) artificial nest predation patterns in (sub)urban landscapes« (Potočnik et al. 2016), in which our findings on crows as predators of (artificial) nests were summarized.
B.02 Presiding over the programming board of a conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 4594854Project, project results, problematics and importance of (Hooded) crows were presented several times to the general public, i.e. via leading national media with a large public range. For example, at the end of the project an article »Using contraception and birds of prey for controlling Hooded crows?« (a newspaper Dnevnik, 9 June 2016, pp. 16) was published, and we were guests in longer (39 min) radio show Intelekta, i.e. with the contribution »How to live with crows, the most intelligent birds?« (Radio Slovenia Prvi, 5 July 2016; http://radioprvi.rtvslo.si/2016/07/intelekta-38). Considering presentation of the projects and its results it is of crucial importance that we had prepared a project website at the very beginning, where we published many important and interesting contributions, news, project achievements, publications in media etc. These activities have importantly contributed towards more reliable presentation of Hooded crow as a biological species, and towards reducing of its stigmatization, i.e. negative attitudes of public regarding the species. Last but not the least: these activities, which were very positively accepted in public, have helped in popularisation of the achievements of Slovene science and consequently also increased the understanding of the importance of the research and science in the broader society.
D.11 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 4550822