Modernization-induced socio-economic changes and their effect over the spatial distribution of recreational hunting and volunteering with animals

Socioeconomic changes characterizing the last 70 years changed human-wildlife relationships and diminished activities such as recreational hunting. However, little research has tested whether the same changes also increased other behaviors, such as volunteering for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on protecting animals. We modeled the effects of urbanization, income, and higher education over the incidence of recreational hunters and people who volunteer with animals in Tuscany (Central Italy). Urbanized areas, characterized by more educated residents, have fewer hunters and more people volunteering than rural municipalities. Hunting participation over the last 15 years also declined more in urbanized municipalities than in rural ones. Our findings indicate that the increased number of people volunteering in animal welfare NGOs might be related to a shift in human-wildlife interactions similar to North America. Moreover, our approach may be used to identify hotspots of social conflicts with wildlife.