Theoretical Ecology
Novel approaches to measure illegal behaviour: hunting in the Serengeti
Ana Nuno*, Nils Bunnefeld, EJ Milner-Gulland
*Corresponding author: Ana Nuno
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
F1000Posters 2010, 1: 294 (poster) [ENGLISH]
Poster [1.48 MB]
Presented at
24th International Congress for Conservation Biology 2010 meeting,
3 - 7 Jul 2010, P1.140
Social surveys through direct questioning to assess illegal use of natural resources are expected to generate misleading and evasive responses. Several disciplines have developed methods for answering sensitive questions that reduce survey response bias. Using rule breaking among Serengeti households as a case study, we tested the willingness of respondents to give sensitive information, and their ability to understand the question depending on the indirect survey technique employed.
Our preliminary results suggest that, although potentially very useful, careful attention must be given to the interpretability of the indirect questioning techniques, especially when surveying mainly illiterate communities. The application of these indirect questioning techniques to estimate hunting levels by local communities surrounding the protected areas of the Serengeti will allow inferences to be drawn concerning the prevalence of hunting in communities surrounding a protected area.
Pilot-study conducted as initial phase of ongoing PhD project.
No relevant conflicts of interest declared.
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