IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Gilbert, S.L.; Sivy, K.J.; Pozzanghera, C.B.; DuBour, A.; Overduijn, K.; Smith, M.M.; Zhou, J.; Little, J.M.; Prugh, L.R. | |
| Socioeconomic benefits of large carnivore recolonization through reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions | |
| 2017 Conservation Letters (10): 431-439 | |
The decline of top carnivores has released large herbivore populations around the world, incurring socioeconomic costs such as increased animal-vehicle collisions. Attempts to control overabundant deer in the Eastern United States have largely failed, and deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) continue to rise at alarming rates. We present the first valuation of an ecosystem service provided by large carnivore recolonization, using DVC reduction by cougars as a case study. Our coupled deer population models and socioeconomic valuations revealed that cougars could reduce deer densities and DVCs by 22% in the Eastern United States, preventing 21,400 human injuries, 155 fatalities, and $2.13 billion in avoided costs within 30 years of establishment. Recently established cougars in South Dakota prevent $1.1 million in collision costs annually. Large carnivore restoration could provide valuable ecosystem services through such socio-ecological cascades, and these benefits could offset the societal costs of coexistence. |
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