Balancing ecotourism and wildlife management through a conservation behavior approach

• DOI: 10.1111/csp2.13306
• Publication Date: 2025-02-14T05:23:22Z
• Authors: Rachel Y. Chock; Eduardo Bessa; Josue David Artea...; Liv Baker; Richard Buchholz; Barbara Clucas; Cassandra Nuñez; Gabriela M. Pinho; Bruce A. Schulte; Daniel T. Blumstein; Bernard Kitheka; Alexander G. Allison; J. Edgardo Arevalo; Debra A. Hamilton; Claudio M. Montez...; Laney H. Nute; Javier Rodríguez‐...; Luis Sandoval; Jessica Stamn; Jennifer L. Verdolin; Lynn Von Hagen; Jimmy W. Wehsener; Brett M. Seymoure
• Keywords: Ecology; human wildlife conflict; tourism; General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; behavioral ecology; anthropogenic; QH540-549.5

Abstract Ecotourism promises to reconcile wildlife conservation and human development if negative impacts of visitation associated infrastructure can be minimized. Animal behavior studies used identify individual population responses anthropogenic before other fitness consequences are documented. With input from professionals in animal ecotourism, we identified key questions needed better understand the impact ecotourism on wildlife. Activity budgets, foraging, movement, stress, habituation, reproduction were themes that emerged our survey. We highlight promising research these remaining behavioral about conserving context ecotourism. Although activities often have detrimental effects behavior, needs inform management ecotourist education improve more compatible with sustainable use nature.