The Attitude of Estonians Towards Large Carnivores

Article Abstract:

"When planning the management of large predators, wildlife managers have to take into account the attitude of the population. A relevant poll using a unified methodology was arranged in three Baltic countries, Poland and Norway. In Estonia, completed questionnaires were received from 1,700 people. Along with personal data (incl. demographic characteristics: sex, age, level of education, etc.), a questionnaire posed 22 different questions designed to reveal the respondents’: attitude towards population size and dispersal patterns of large predators; acceptable distance to large carnivores; personal experience with large carnivores; confidence in various institutions in matters concerning large predators; general (and environmental) values and attitudes in life as a background. Survey results confirm that hatred for and fear of large predators are generally not characteristic of Estonians. Extreme views are almost completely lacking and a rational attitude seems to prevail. To the majority of the respondents the present number of large predators appears to be ideal."

Specific findings:

• 28% of Estonians have seen a wolf, 21.8% a bear, and 21.0% a lynx.
• 49.6% of respondents disagreed with the statement, "To see the wolf in nature would be very exciting to me."
• Estonians would avoid encounters with bears (46.1%) and lynx (42.9%).
• 32.0% of respondents would not tolerate wolves, lynx (28.7%) or bears (28.1%) in their counties.
• Attitudes toward wolves appear to be more negative than attitudes toward the other large carnivores discussed. Small proportions of respondents would like to see wolves (1.9%), bears (0.6%), and lynx (1.4%) exterminated completely.
• With respect to discussion of large carnivores, the most trusted opinion leaders (% indicates some level of trust) are scientists (91.7%), experienced hunters (88.9%), and employees of the state forest service (78.1%). Local politicians (25.7%) and members of parliament (15.6%) elicited the least amount of trust.