Due to land use and climate change, human-wildlife interactions rise, often leading to conflicts, especially with carnivores. Understanding social perceptions of expanding carnivore species is crucial to reduce the associated potential conflicts. Through an online survey we assessed the perceived impacts (both positive and negative) of hunters and non-hunters (both residents in Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain) in relation to the expanding Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). We then used the Potential Conflict Index (PCI2) to detect the degree of intra- and inter- group consensus (hunters and non-hunters). PCI2 values range from 0 to 1: smaller values (closer to 0) indicate a high consensus within a group; whereas values approaching 1 identify greater intra-group potential for conflict. Overall, hunters were more in agreement with potential negative impacts of mongooses, namely for the ecosystems and rural economy. On the contrary, non-hunters mostly agreed with the potential beneficial impacts associated with the mongoose. Looking at the level of agreement within groups, we found that hunters’ highest consensus (PCI2= 0.07) was obtained regarding the perception that mongoose did not increase tourism; whereas the lowest consensus (PCI2= 0.50) referred to the impact of attacks on livestock. In contrast, among non-hunter, there was a high level of consensus (PCI2= 0.19) regarding mongoose’s contribution to biodiversity conservation, while the lowest consensus (PCI2= 0.44) was related to its impact on attacking pets. Based on our findings, we suggest designing targeted information campaigns to increase residents’ (including hunters) awareness about the species occurring in their territories, and, importantly, to explain them how such species may affect the ecosystems and rural livelihood. Furthermore, our study stresses the usefulness of the PCI2 to visually assess disagreement in perceptions among different social groups about expanding mesocarnivores

XVI congreso de la SECEM, Granollers (Barcelona), del 6 al 9 de diciembre de 2023

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