This study focuses on understanding public support for the control of the invasive small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) in order to reduce predation pressure on endangered sea turtles. A sample of 104 residents and 103 visitors on St. Kitts was verbally interviewed about their knowledge, attitudes, and support for mongoose control. Respondents generally valued mongooses, but there was a high level of support for controlling them, preferably through non-lethal means, if these animals were perceived to present disease, or threats to agriculture or conservation efforts. Differences in responses were seen between residents and visitors, and by gender and level of education, showing that attitudes towards mongoose control were not homogeneous. The low perceived risks, perceived benefits, and positive attitudes towards mongooses found in this study seem to not favor lethal control measures, but may allow for non-lethal control if the risks can be made apparent to residents and visitors. Helping people formulate accurate perceptions of the risks and benefits is an important part of developing support for a management action. This invasive species management situation might benefit from a focus on protecting sea turtles to make it a specific and identifiable risk management action rather than focusing on generic mongoose control goals.

中文翻译：

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西印度群岛圣基茨的猫鼬控制的公众支持，知识和态度

这项研究的重点是了解公众对控制入侵印度小猫鼬（Herpestes auropunctatus）的支持，以减轻对濒临灭绝的海龟的捕食压力。对圣基茨的104位居民和103位游客的样本进行了口头访谈，了解他们的知识，态度和对猫鼬控制的支持。受访者通常重视猫鼬，但是如果认为这些动物存在疾病或对农业或保护工作的威胁，则最好通过非致命手段来控制它们。在居民和访客之间，在性别和受教育程度方面，人们的反应有所不同，这表明对猫鼬控制的态度并不统一。较低的感知风险，感知收益，在这项研究中发现的对猫鼬的积极态度似乎并不赞成采取致命的控制措施，但如果可以使居民和游客明显意识到这种危险，则可以允许进行非致命的控制。帮助人们树立对风险和收益的准确认识是开发支持管理措施的重要组成部分。这种侵入性物种管理状况可能会受益于专注于保护海龟，使其成为一种具体且可识别的风险管理措施，而不是专注于常规猫鼬控制目标。