How Community Members Engage With Wildlife—A Psychological Typology With Implications for Policy Making

ABSTRACTCommunity perceptions influence wildlife‐related management and policy efforts. However, there remains limited research into population‐level social and psychological aspects driving engagement with wildlife and how this shapes support for broader wildlife management approaches. Here we draw on Australian national data to develop a typology of community engagement with wildlife based on cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors, and how they shape support for wildlife management policies. We identified seven groups reflecting different patterns of engagement with wildlife, ranging from Champions to Disengaged. Importantly, respondents who were members of more engaged groups were also more likely to exhibit polarized views toward wildlife management strategies that involve culling or translocating wildlife. Our results suggest that wildlife managers and decision‐makers should not assume that support for wildlife always translates into support for wildlife management or conservation policies. We discuss approaches to communications and conflict management for diverse social groups.