Human perceptions toward herpetofauna in northwestern Bangladesh

Abstract

<p>People from different socioeconomic status show different attitudes toward herpetofauna. A study was conducted to investigate local people's perceptions and attitudes toward herpetofauna in four northwestern districts of Bangladesh. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey among 236 randomly selected people. Animals were divided into four groups (frogs and toads, snakes, lizards, monitor lizards) and perceptions about these animals were classified into six categories. "Killing herpetofauna as a credit" was considered as a dependent variable for performing the regression models. Among the four groups, people possessed maximum misconceptions about snakes in all six categories. Among the interviewees, 45% respondents were positive in killing snakes, which was the highest among the four groups. Bivariate analysis showed socioeconomic status (occupation) and other perceptions as poisonous, habitat sharing, and believing preconceptions were significantly related with the dependent variable. From logistic regression models we found that frog killing was influenced by landholding status of people and believing preconceptions about frogs. Killing of reptiles is associated with educational status and perceptions, such as thinking they are all poisonous, habitat sharing, and believing preconceptions. Socioeconomic status and superstitions had greater negative impact on reptiles than amphibians hence, more misbelieved by people. Coexistence of humans and wild animals through expanding and disseminating the correct knowledge about them, more sustainable use of habitats, and greater effort in scientific communities to remedy these deficiencies are needed to conserve these important groups of wild animals.</p>