Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Local Community Perceptions Towards Lion Conservation: A Case of the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

We assessed the factors influencing local community perceptions towards lions in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Data were collected from 384 households through questionnaire surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, and analyzed by content analysis and IBM SPSS version 20. About 86% (n=331) of respondents had negative perceptions towards lions. Education (p=0.0016,R=1.68), occupation (p=0.0021,R=-2.07), livestock numbers (p=0.0011,R=0.-0.43), livestock management (p=0.0006,R=0.373), water sources (p=0.0019,R=-0.21), and distance from the protected area (p=0.0183,R=2.11) were significant factors for community perceptions towards lions. We recommend compensation for the victims of lion attacks to reduce negative attitudes towards the species.

Automated summary

The study identified education level, occupation, livestock numbers, livestock management, water sources, and distance from the protected area as significant factors influencing local community perceptions towards lions. Around 86% of respondents had negative perceptions towards lions. The researchers recommended compensating victims of lion attacks to reduce negative attitudes towards the species.