A mixed-methods study on human-frog interactions in Nature's Valley, South Africa

Abstract

Despite their ecological significance, frogs receive far less public support and funding for research and conservation than that afforded to more charismatic animals. An emerging perspective suggests that conservation success is dependent on understanding the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural aspects that impact attitudes and behaviours towards biodiversity. This mixed-methods study attempted to shed light on how three communities in the vicinity of Nature’s Valley in the Western Cape province of South Africa, perceive, interact with, and consider the protection of frogs. Overall, the three communities slightly disliked frogs, however, geo-specific variability between demographic profiles, cultural beliefs and myths, and memorial background evidently strongly impact human-frog interaction and willingness to tolerate and protect them. This complex interplay between cultural and personal factors, as well as grouped bio-spherical values, led to the conclusion that to ensure the success of frog conservation efforts, a generalist approach to pro-frog behavioural change should be followed by focusing on pro-environmental behavior in general first rather than attempting to change a specific aspect of human-frog interaction from the outset.