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Pokémon Go, an augmented reality (AR) smartphone game, replicates many aspects of real‐world wildlife watching and natural history by allowing players to find, capture, and collect Pokémon, which are effectively virtual animals. In this article, we consider how the unprecedented success of Pokémon Go as a smartphone game might create opportunities and challenges for the conservation movement. By encouraging players to go outside and consider various aspects of virtual species’ biology, the game could increase awareness and engagement with real‐world nature. However, interacting with Pokémon could alternatively encourage exploitation of wildlife or replace players’ desire to interact with real‐world nature. We suggest a number of ways in which Pokémon Go could be adapted to increase its conservation impact, and how new conservation‐orientated AR games could be created. We conclude that Pokémon Go sets a precedent for well‐implemented AR games from which the conservation movement could borrow a number of ideas.

To develop more effective interventions, conservationists require robust information about the proportion of people who break conservation rules (such as those relating to protected species, or protected area legislation). Developed to obtain more accurate estimates of sensitive behaviors, including rule‐breaking, specialized questioning techniques such as Randomized Response Techniques (RRTs) are increasingly applied in conservation, but with mixed evidence of their effectiveness. We use a forced‐response RRT to estimate the prevalence of five rule‐breaking behaviors in communities living around the Ruaha–Rungwa ecosystem in Tanzania. Prevalence estimates obtained for all behaviors were negative or did not differ significantly from zero, suggesting the RRT did not work as expected and that respondents felt inadequately protected. To investigate, we carried out a second study to explore how topic sensitivity influenced respondents' propensity to follow RRT instructions. Results from this experimental study revealed respondents understood instructions well (~88% of responses were correct) but that propensity to follow RRT instructions was significantly influenced by the behavior asked about, and the type of answer they were required to provide. Our two studies highlight that even if RRTs are well understood by respondents, where topics are sensitive and respondents are wary of researchers, their use does not necessarily encourage more honest responding. We use a Randomized Response Technique (RRT) to estimate the prevalence of five rule‐breaking behaviors around the Ruaha–Rungwa Ecosystem in central‐southern Tanzania. Obtained estimates were negative or did not significantly differ from zero for all behaviors, suggesting the method did not work as expected. We undertook a novel experiment to explore this further, and found respondents understood RRT instructions well, but that propensity to follow instructions was influenced by the behavior asked about, and the answer they were required to provide.

Conservationists increasingly aim to understand human behaviour to inform intervention design. However, obtaining information from people about their behaviour can be challenging, particularly if the research topic is considered sensitive. Topic sensitivity may raise methodological, ethical, political and legal concerns which, if poorly addressed, can have significant impacts on research participants, the research process, data quality and the success of conservation outcomes that are informed by research findings. While considerable effort has been invested in developing techniques for reducing bias when collecting data on sensitive topics, less attention has been focused on identifying if, and why, a topic is sensitive. We use a mixed methods approach to explore how willing people are to discuss topics that could be considered sensitive (e.g. illegal wildlife hunting). Collecting data from people living near protected areas in Indonesia (n = 362) and Tanzania (n = 345), we developed and tested a psychometric scale to measure topic sensitivity at the respondent level and conducted group exercises (free‐lists and pile sorts) to gain a deeper understanding of peoples' willingness to discuss different topics. The perceived sensitivity of topics varied both within and between the two focal contexts, with more topics being perceived as sensitive in Tanzania than Indonesia. Participants' knowledge of rules, and their experiences of living alongside protected areas affected how sensitive they considered topics to be. Mixed methods approaches can provide holistic and nuanced understanding of topic sensitivity. However, recognising that in‐depth studies are not always feasible to implement, we demonstrate that methods, such as our Sensitivity Index, can easily be adapted for different contexts and deployed to rapidly obtain valuable insights on topic sensitivity, to help inform conservation research and practice. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Abstrak Para konservasionis semakin berupaya memahami perilaku manusia untuk memberi informasi bagi desain intervensi. Namun, memperoleh informasi dari orang‐orang tentang perilaku mereka dapat menjadi tantangan tersendiri, terutama jika topik penelitian dianggap sensitif. Sensitivitas topik penelitian dapat meningkatkan kekhawatiran tentang metodologi, etika, politik dan hukum yang, jika ditangani dengan buruk, dapat berdampak signifikan pada peserta penelitian, proses penelitian, kualitas data, dan keberhasilan upaya konservasi yang didasarkan atas temuan penelitian tersebut. Sementara upaya yang cukup besar telah diinvestasikan dalam mengembangkan teknik untuk mengurangi bias saat mengumpulkan data tentang topik sensitif, perhatian yang lebih sedikit difokuskan pada mengidentifikasi jika, dan mengapa, suatu topik sensitif. Kami menggunakan pendekatan metode campuran untuk mengeksplorasi seberapa besar keinginan orang untuk mendiskusikan topik yang dapat dianggap sensitif (misalnya, perburuan satwa liar secara ilegal). Mengumpulkan data dari orang‐orang yang tinggal di dekat kawasan lindung di Indonesia (n = 362) dan Tanzania (n = 345), kami mengembangkan dan menguji skala psikometrik untuk mengukur sensitivitas topik pada tingkat responden dan melakukan kegiatan kelompok (free‐list dan pile sorts) untuk mendapatkan pemahaman yang lebih dalam tentang kesediaan orang untuk mendiskusikan topik yang berbeda. Sensitivitas topik yang dirasakan bervariasi baik di dalam maupun di antara dua konteks utama, dengan lebih banyak topik yang dianggap sensitif di Tanzania daripada di Indonesia. Pengetahuan responden tentang aturan, dan pengalaman mereka hidup berdampingan dengan kawasan konservasi memengaruhi anggapan mereka tentang seberapa sensitif suatu topik. Pendekatan metode campuran dapat memberikan pemahaman holistik dan bernuansa tentang sensitivitas suatu topik. Namun, menyadari bahwa studi mendalam tidak selalu layak untuk diterapkan, kami menunjukkan bahwa metode, seperti Indeks Sensitivitas kami, dapat dengan mudah diadaptasi untuk konteks yang berbeda dan digunakan untuk memperoleh wawasan berharga tentang sensitivitas topik dengan cepat, untuk membantu memberikan informasi untuk penelitian dan praktik konservasi. Muhtasari Uelewa wa tabia za binadamu umeendelea kuwa muhimu kwa wahifadhi ili kuasaidia kubuni njia za utatuzi. Hata hivyo kupata taarifa ya tabia za watu si jambo rahisi hasa kama mada yenyewe ni nyeti. Unyeti wa mada unaweza kuibua maswala ya njia za utafiti, kimaadili, kisiasa na kisheria ambayo, yasiposhughulikiwa vyema, yanaweza kuwa na athari kubwa kwa washiriki wa utafiti, mchakato wa utafiti, ubora wa takwimu na mafanikio ya matokeo ya uhifadhi ambayo yanatokana na matokeo ya utafiti. Ingawa juhudi kubwa zimewekezwa katika kubuni njia za kupunguza udhaifu wakati wa kukusanya takwimu za mada nyeti, nguvu kidogo zimeelekezwa katika kubainisha kama na kwa nini, mada nyeti. Tunatumia njia mchanganyiko kuchunguza ni namna gani watu wako tayari kujadili mada ambazo zinaweza kuchukuliwa kuwa ni nyeti (mfano uwindaji haramu wa wanyamapori). Ukusanyaji wa takwimu kwa watu wanaoishi karibu na maeneo yaliyohifadhiwa nchini Indonesia (n = 362) na Tanzania (n = 345), tulitengeneza na kupima kipimo cha saikolojia ili kupima unyeti wa mada kwa wahojiwa na kufanya mazoezi katika vikundi (kuorodhesha wenyewe na kuchambua rundo) ili kuongeza uelewa wa kina wa utayari wa watu kujadili mada tofauti. Unyeti wa mada unaodhaniwa hutofautiana muktadha kati na baina maeneo haya miwili, huku mada nyingi zilidhaniwa kuwa nyeti nchini Tanzania kuliko Indonesia. Uelewa wa washiriki wa taratibu, na uzoefu wao wa kuishi kando ya maeneo yaliyohifadhiwa uliathiri jinsi walivyofikiria mada kuwa nyeti. Matumizi ya njia meseto huweza kutoa uelewa mkamilifu wa unyeti wa mada. Hata hivyo, kwa kutambua kuwa tafiti za kina hazitekelezeki kila wakati, tunaonyesha kwamba njia kama vile kipimo chetu cha unyeti, kinaweza kutumiwa kwa muktadha tofauti tofauti na inaweza tumiwa kwa haraka kupata maarifa juu ya unyeti wa mada, ili kusaidia kutoa taarifa kwenye utafiti na utendaji wa uhifadhi. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Conflicts over the management of large carnivores, and their impacts on humans reduces well-being for human communities and threatens the persistence of large carnivore populations around the world. Improving our understanding of the complex ecological and social systems that create these conservation conflicts is vital if they are to be resolved. In this thesis we investigate ecological and social aspects of human-carnivore interactions in land bordering Ruaha National Park in Tanzania where there are conflicting views on how large carnivores should be managed. Investigating the spatio-temporal patterns of carnivore attacks on livestock we found higher risk of attacks linked to increased rainfall, wild prey and proximity to protected areas. We found re-enforced wire enclosures to be more effective at protecting livestock compared to those of traditional construction. Using local ecological knowledge to investigate carnivore landscape use in community land we found occupancy of lions, wild dog, leopard and cheetah higher in the wet season, while hyenas are present all year round. However low detection rates and respondent availability during the dry season restricted our model's ability to accurately predict carnivore land use. Studying tolerance towards lions and hyenas we found perceived benefits and positive beliefs were the most influential variables for both species, while experience of species and perceived risks only influenced tolerance towards hyenas. Engagements with conservation programs increased tolerance towards lions but had a complex relationship with risk perception for both species, highlighting how conservation interventions can interact with other socio-psychological variables with unexpected consequences. Simulating an African savannah community we found low levels of retaliatory killing of large carnivores drove them to extinction. This, however, had little impact on other simulated populations. We also found small herbivores to be responsible for the most damage to crops compared to large herbivores. This work contributes to our understanding of some of the drivers of the human-carnivore interactions that conservation conflicts are often centred on. We highlight the complexity of these systems and the broad range of tools and disciplines required to study them.

Wild meat can play a crucial role in the food system of rural communities residing near tropical forests. Yet, socio‐ecological changes across tropical landscapes are impacting the patterns and sustainability of meat consumption. To understand the prevalence, frequency and drivers of wild meat, domestic meat and fish consumption in this context, we implemented structured questionnaires across 28 villages in two forested landscapes of Central Kalimantan, a region of Indonesian Borneo characterised by forest‐dependent livelihoods. Across the 632 male household heads surveyed, the primary reason for consumption at the species‐level was taste, followed by ease of access. Conversely, the main reasons for not consuming wild meat more often were cost and low availability. The frequency of wild meat consumption was relatively low, with most respondents consuming it less than once every 6 months. However, local perceptions of biodiversity change and reported difficulties in accessing wild meat suggest this modest consumption was due to declining availability. Freshwater fish was consumed daily by most respondents, serving as an important animal protein in both landscapes. However, we found a positive association between greater well‐being and higher odds of consuming wild meat more frequently. This trend likely reflects disparity in access, with individuals of higher well‐being status better positioned to obtain this declining resource. Our findings highlight the multiple environmental and anthropogenic stressors concurrently affecting both terrestrial and aquatic animal populations in Central Kalimantan, with significant implications for the sustainability of wild meat and wider food security. There were also regional differences in the frequency, diversity and types of domestic and wild species consumed, underscoring the need to consider socio‐demographic diversity when developing wildlife conservation and sustainable food initiatives. Finally, we provide recommendations to work towards sustainable wild meat in these changing rural landscapes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Daging satwa liar dapat memiliki peran penting dalam sistem pangan masyarakat pedesaan yang tinggal di dekat hutan tropis. Namun, perubahan sosial‐ekologi di lanskap tropis memengaruhi pola dan keberlanjutan konsumsi daging. Untuk memahami prevalensi, frekuensi, dan faktor pendorong konsumsi daging satwa liar, daging satwa domestik, dan ikan dalam konteks ini, kami melakukan survei kuesioner terstruktur di 28 desa di dua lanskap hutan di Kalimantan Tengah, sebuah wilayah yang ditandai dengan mata pencaharian bergantung pada hutan. Dari 632 kepala keluarga laki‐laki yang disurvei, alasan utama konsumsi pada tingkat spesies adalah rasa, diikuti oleh kemudahan dalam mengakses. Sebaliknya, alasan utama tidak lebih sering mengonsumsi daging satwa liar adalah biaya dan ketersediaan yang rendah. Frekuensi konsumsi daging satwa liar relatif rendah, dengan sebagian besar responden mengonsumsinya kurang dari sekali setiap enam bulan. Namun, persepsi lokal tentang perubahan keanekaragaman hayati dan kesulitan dalam mengakses daging satwa liar menunjukkan bahwa konsumsi yang terbatas disebabkan oleh penurunan ketersediaan. Ikan air tawar dikonsumsi setiap hari oleh sebagian besar responden, menjadikannya sebagai sumber protein hewani penting di kedua lanskap. Namun, kami menemukan hubungan positif antara kesejahteraan yang lebih tinggi dan kemungkinan untuk lebih sering mengonsumsi daging satwa liar. Tren ini mencerminkan adanya kesenjangan dalam mengakses daging satwa liar, di mana masyarakat yang lebih sejahtera cenderung mampu memperoleh sumber daya yang semakin langka ini. Temuan kami menyoroti berbagai tekanan lingkungan dan antropogenik yang secara bersamaan memengaruhi populasi satwa darat dan air di Kalimantan Tengah, dengan implikasi signifikan terhadap keberlanjutan pemanfaatan daging satwa liar dan keamanan pangan. Terdapat juga perbedaan regional dalam frekuensi, keragaman, dan spesies satwa domestik dan liar yang dikonsumsi, yang menekankan perlunya mempertimbangkan keragaman sosial‐demografi saat mengembangkan kebijakan dan inisiatif terkait pangan dan konservasi satwa liar. Di akhir, kami memberikan rekomendasi untuk mewujudkan pola makan berkelanjutan di lanskap pedesaan yang tengah mengalami perubahaan ini. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.