Public attitudes towards management strategies for invasive Northern raccoons in Italy

Public opinion plays a key role in shap- ing wildlife management decisions. The European Union Regulation 1143/2014 underscores the impor- tance of public awareness and education in combat- ing invasive alien species. Amongst those, the north- ern raccoon Procyon lotor is widespread over large parts of Europe. In this study, we investigated public perception of free-ranging raccoons in Italy, focus- ing on awareness, emotional responses, and preferred management strategies, by means of a standardised questionnaire. We collected 1696 surveys targeting the whole Italian human population. Despite their status of invasive species, raccoons have attracted public attention due to their captivating appearance and playful behaviour. Their ecological impacts, including predation on native wildlife and the poten- tial transmission of zoonotic diseases, require effec- tive management strategies. Our findings indicated a high level of public awareness about raccoons, with a diverse range of emotional responses. Most respond- ents expressed positive sentiments, whereas others exhibited negative emotions such as fear and disgust. We here highlight the need of targeted communica- tion strategies to address public concerns, dispel mis- conceptions, and improve support for effective con- trol measures of such charismatic invasive species. By addressing the psychological factors underlying species’ appreciation by the public, it may be possi- ble to promote responsible behaviour and minimize human-wildlife conflicts. Furthermore, this research underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of pub- lic attitudes during all the phases of wildlife man- agement. By assessing public perception before and after implementing different strategies, policy makers can evaluate their effectiveness and make informed decisions after implementing different strategies, policy makers can evaluate their effectiveness and make informed decisions.