Recently, new approaches to wildlife management are being developed, such as coexistence management and convivial conservation. These approaches aim to shift management practices from mitigating human–wildlife conflicts towards cohabitation and explore mutual benefits. To align empirical research to these new approaches, we argue for the relevance of positive psychology theory to inspire and structure research into the benefits of human–wildlife interactions. Positive psychology suggests three pathways through which human–wildlife interactions may lead to happiness and well-being: pleasure, engagement, and meaning. Applying these pathways to human–wildlife research may (i) structure existing research into the benefits of human–wildlife interactions, (ii) disclose unidentified benefits of human–wildlife interactions, and (iii) unravel mechanisms which make experiencing and protecting wildlife worthwhile and rewarding. Also, we suggest a potential feedback loop between wildlife experiences, happiness and well-being, and pro-environmental behaviours. More in-depth research into these mechanisms may improve our understanding of attitudes towards conservation of wildlife and its habitat and may suggest strategies to strengthen stewardship actions and public support for conservation strategies. Together, these strands of research could initiate research into what could be called a “Positive Ecology”.

最近，正在开发新的野生动植物管理方法，例如共存管理和欢乐保护。这些方法旨在将管理实践从减轻人类与野生生物的冲突转变为同居，并探索互惠互利。为了使实证研究与这些新方法保持一致，我们主张积极心理学理论对于激发和构建人类与野生动物相互作用的收益的研究具有相关性。积极心理学提出了人类与野生动物互动可以带来幸福和福祉的三种途径：愉悦，参与和意义。将这些途径应用于人与野生生物的研究可能（i）将现有的研究结构化为人与野生生物相互作用的益处，（ii）揭示人与野生生物相互作用的不确定的益处，（iii）建立机制，使体验和保护野生动植物值得和有益。此外，我们建议在野生动植物的经历，幸福和福祉以及环保行为之间建立潜在的反馈回路。对这些机制的更深入研究可能会增进我们对野生动植物及其栖息地保护态度的理解，并可能提出加强管理行动的策略以及公众对保护策略的支持。这些研究工作在一起可以启动对所谓的“正生态学”的研究。对这些机制的更深入研究可能会增进我们对野生动植物及其栖息地保护态度的理解，并可能提出加强管理行动的策略以及公众对保护策略的支持。这些研究工作在一起可以启动对所谓的“正生态学”的研究。对这些机制的更深入研究可能会增进我们对野生动植物及其栖息地保护态度的理解，并可能提出加强管理行动的策略以及公众对保护策略的支持。这些研究工作在一起可以启动对所谓的“正生态学”的研究。