Self-Reported Fear Towards Large Carnivores Among The Norwegian Public
This analysis of self-reported fear of brown bears, wolves, lynx, and wolverines in Norway found that women expressed more fear of these species than men and expressed fear increased with age among both genders.
Human population density did not appear to have significant effect on the degree of self-reported fear of four large carnivore species including brown bears, wolves, lynx, and wolverines. However, people living in rural areas with one of these species in their vicinity were less fearful of the species than people from rural areas where the species was absent.
Activities, experience, and knowledge of the species also affected fear patterns. Those with higher education and those who expressed interest in outdoor activities such as small game hunting and mountain hiking expressed less fear than those with lower education and no interest in outdoor activities, respectively.
Researchers conclude that good management strategy is to develop educational programs where people learn about the biology and habits of the large carnivores and are encouraged to gain first-hand outdoor experience in areas with large carnivores.
[Parts of this summary are excerpted from the study abstract]