Understanding local knowledge and attitudes toward potential reintroduction of a former British wetland bird

Stakeholder acceptance and support is essential for long-term success in species reintroductions, assessing social feasibility of reintroductions within human-occupied landscapes an integral component effective decision-making. The Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus extirpated British bird, possible reintroduction to wetlands under discussion. Any planning must first assess local community awareness, attitudes, potential arrival associated habitat management, as part wider socio-ecological assessment. Pelicans are distinctive with increase wetland conservation, but might provoke conflict through real or perceived competition landscape users such fishers; already seen Britain between fishers cormorants. We conducted online survey 590 respondents the Somerset Levels East Anglian Fens, Britain's largest landscapes, understand views on reintroduction, other restoration, investigate correlates varying attitudes toward coexistence pelicans five waterbirds (grey heron, Eurasian bittern, little egret, common crane, great cormorant). Respondents had generally positive about previous species, overall all six waterbirds. Two-thirds supported strongly both benefits concerns were identified relation its reintroduction. Anglers hunters more likely hold negative pelicans, restoration. However, although anglers raised concerns, they not be unsupportive More socio-demographic predictors restoration required establish habitat, suggesting that feelings biodiversity outweighed by around exclusion from landscapes. Our findings suggest stakeholders. Attitudes cormorants do represent a blueprint may if impacts fish stocks addressed. Community engagement species-specific landscape-scale actions require separate approaches, management needing target range stakeholder groups those pelicans. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.