ABSTRACT

We used mixed-methods to explore human experiences and motivations towards co-existence with coyotes in the Foothills Parklands of Alberta, Canada. Traditionally agricultural, this is one of Canada’s fastest urbanising landscapes, offering insight into a plurality of viewpoints and feedback loops related to the social construction of and co-existence with coyotes. Invoking theories of place and transgression, we provided a new lens on the problem of human–coyote entanglements. We interviewed 60 respondents (27 males; 33 females) on 48 properties (agricultural = 23; rural residential = 25). We posed closed- and open-ended questions exploring experience, perception, beliefs, sentiments and actions. Selected data were analysed here. Our word analysis neatly depicts the tension surrounding human engagements with coyotes. Respondents articulated critical distances reflecting ‘home place’. When coyotes transgressed the boundaries of the latter, respondents considered this un-natural behaviour or a biosecurity threat punishable by death. Landuse type, gender and prior depredation did not predict coyote killing. However, female respondents appeared more likely to view killing as ‘OK’ after a depredation event. Understanding motivations for killing requires further analysis and is essential to realising co-existence.

摘要

在加拿大艾伯塔省的山麓丘陵公园中，我们使用混合方法探索了与土狼共存的人类经验和动机。传统上是农业，这是加拿大最快的城市化景观之一，可洞察与土狼的社会建设和与之共存的多种观点和反馈回路。引用位置和越界理论，我们提供了一个关于人与土狼纠缠问题的新视角。我们采访了48个场所（农业= 23；农村住宅= 25）的60位受访者（27位男性； 33位女性）。我们提出了不限成员名额和不限成员名额的问题，以探讨经验，看法，信念，情感和行动。此处对所选数据进行了分析。我们的词汇分析巧妙地描绘了人类与土狼交往时的紧张情绪。受访者明确指出了反映“家乡”的关键距离。当土狼越过后者的边界时，受访者认为这是非自然行为或对生物安全的威胁，应处以死刑。土地用途类型，性别和先前的掠夺行为不能预测土狼被杀死。但是，在遭到掠夺事件之后，女性受访者似乎更有可能将杀戮视为“正常”。了解杀戮动机还需要进一步分析，这对于实现共存至关重要。女性受访者在发生掠夺事件后似乎更有可能将杀戮视为“正常”。了解杀戮动机还需要进一步分析，这对于实现共存至关重要。女性受访者在发生掠夺事件后似乎更有可能将杀戮视为“正常”。了解杀戮动机还需要进一步分析，这对于实现共存至关重要。