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, i.e. several proposals for cooperation in the project, immediately after the publication of the article.
F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice
COBISS.SI-ID: 21187336At the 4th Hunting and Game Management Symposium (Velenje, 5-7 November 2015) we provided a talk, in which we presented results of on-line survey about attitudes of people towards crows and about acceptability of different measures for management of crows in urban environment. The population of Hooded crow in Slovenia has significantly increased in past years, and several conflicts between inhabitants and crows in both rural and urban environment were reported recently. Therefore, with an online survey we tried to found out what are public opinions about coexistence of crows and humans and toward suggested actions for management of populations of crows, what are their emotions about crows, and which (if any) negative experiences they had with crows. 1045 respondents completed the whole survey in January and February 2015. We carried out descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, multiple regression and calculated effect sizes. The reliability of data of survey scales were checked by calculation of Cronbach alpha coefficients. The results of survey would serve as a basis for the selection of management actions toward crow population that would be acceptable by public. Revealed from results of the survey, the majority of respondents are interested in problems with crows. On the other side, however, most respondents do not agree with suppression of crows without limitations. The most acceptable management actions are shooting adult crows in agricultural areas and in nature, and persecution of crows from towns/cities by help of domesticated birds of prey (i. e. falconry). The majority of respondents believe that people are at fault for problems, caused by crows, and they want to know more about relations between crows and humans. The most frequent negative experiences that people have already had with crows are two non-aggressive experiences, observing crows: (i) during eating fruits and consequently provoking some economical loss, and (ii) during ripping garbage bags and consequently making some aesthetical problems. The majority of respondents wish to solve problems we have with crows, but they can neither decide for just one action nor support any of them very strongly. Negative experiences that respondents had with crows in the past have the most frequent impact on opinions about need for and acceptance of management actions toward crows.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 21730568There 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 crows 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: 21567752