Report from the latest official attitude survey, carried out August to October 2020, that also compares with the results from similar attitude surveys done in 2004, 2009, and 2014.
In this thorough and detailed survey, 28 220 randomly sampled respondents, 18 to 65 years of age, from 141 municipalities, were included. A massive majority were in favour of the large carnivores’ existence in the country, from 80% in favour of the lynx, to 69% in favour of the wolf. Between 1% and 12% dislike at least one of the species’ existence. There were more respondents and generally a “significant increase” in positive attitudes toward the carnivores, compared to previous surveys.
Selected results in detail:
LYNX
What do you think about the lynx existing in Sweden?
80% like it
17% are neutral
3% dislike it
Can you accept lynx living near where you live?
75% say yes, nationally, but up to 82% says yes in the areas where lynx have been present the longest time and in the highest densities.
Shall lynx be allowed to live in all of Sweden?
69% say yes. A significant increase from the result in previous surveys in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
1% say no, not anywhere
BEAR
What do you think about the existence of bears in Sweden?
78% like it
16% are neutral
7% dislike it
Can you accept bears living near where you live?
50% say yes nationally, surprisingly, up to 65% says yes in the areas where bears have been present the longest time and in the highest densities.
48% say no or rather not.
Shall bears be allowed to live in all of Sweden?
50% say yes. A significant increase from the result in previous surveys in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
1% say no, not anywhere.
WOLVERINE
What do you think about the existence of wolverines in Sweden?
71% like it
25% are neutral
4% dislike it
Can you accept wolverines living near where you live?
62% say yes, nationally, but between 54 to 64% where wolverines have been present since long.
Shall wolverines be allowed to live in all of Sweden?
53% say yes. A significant increase from the result in previous surveys in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
1% say no, not anywhere.
WOLF
The most controversial species
What do you think about the wolf existing in Sweden?
69% like it. No region has less than 50% liking it.
20% are neutral.
12% dislike it.
Can you accept wolves living near where you live?
49% say yes, nationally, but 39 to 54% regionally.
49% say no or rather not.
Shall wolves be allowed to live in all of Sweden?
54% say yes. A significant increase from the result in previous surveys in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
33% don’t want there to be wolves in the reindeer herding areas.
6% say no, not anywhere.
SWEDEN’S LARGE CARNIVORES
Are there any wild animals that you are afraid of meeting when you are out in nature?
No 25%
Bear 53%
Wild boar 45%
Wolf 35%
Elk or moose 19%
Is it important to you that Sweden follows international rules, conventions and EU law about the large carnivores?
87% say yes
13% say no
In order to minimize problems from large carnivores, Swedes are:
94% in favour of fencing
88% in favour of scaring them off
84% in favour of moving them away
51% in favour of shooting them
Pay a reward to anyone who reports poaching of large carnivores?
86% in favour
Should damage fees be paid in full to owners of livestock taken by large carnivores?
85% in favour
Sweden’s Big Five’s comments
This survey shows the massive support for the existence of large carnivores in the country. The group being the most negative to the large carnivores presence, steadily numbers between 1 and max 12% of the respondents.
The number of hunters in Sweden is 3% of the population.
Translated excerpts from “An attitude survey about large predators and predator management (En attitydundersökning om stora rovdjur och rovdjursförvaltning) published by Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Umeå, Report (2021:8)
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