The level of knowledge and attitude to European bison from a local perspective – a preliminary study in north-eastern Poland

The level of knowledge and attitude to European bison from a local perspective a preliminary study in north-eastern Poland. Among main reasons of lower acceptance of European bison (Bison bonasus) by local communities is the fear of the extent of the possible damage. The fear may be related to myths about the ecology of European bison. The aim of this study was to analyse the level of knowledge of local communities regarding the European bison, and its relation with the level of acceptance for the species. The survey was conducted in the area with already existing population of European bison (Bielsk Forest District), and the area where its reintroduction just have started (Augustów Forest District). The study was based on questionnaires fi lled out personally by workshop participants. The questionnaires contained a test on the level of knowledge on the European bison, the attitude towards this species, and basic information about the respondent. We found that the attitude to European bison was not driven by the level of knowledge. Respondents from Bielsk Forest District presented signifi cantly lower level of acceptance than respondents from Augustów Forest District. The study confi rms, that the level of acceptance towards protected species that may cause human-wildlife confl icts is related to the management methods in the area.