Analysis of human wildlife conflict call volume variation during the COVID‐19 global pandemic protective measures in Florida

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Wildlife Assistance Biologists (WABs) receive calls from the public experiencing a wildlife conflict and provide guidance on how to coexist with native wildlife. This analysis considered how the number of calls and nature of calls received by WABs were impacted by COVID‐19 pandemic protective measures in Florida. Total calls to WABs decreased during COVID‐19 protective measures but did not vary significantly from the previous year. There was a significant decrease in the average weekly number of “Sick/Injured” wildlife calls and “Property Damage” calls when protective measures were in place. This analysis provides insight into how widespread changes in human mobility may impact reports of human‐wildlife conflict. 佛罗里达州鱼类与野生动物保护委员会的野生动物救护生物学家（WABs）会接收公众遭遇野生动物冲突的相关报警，并提供关于如何与当地野生动物共存的指导。本研究分析了在COVID‐19流行期间佛罗里达州的防疫措施如何影响野生动物救护生物学家接收的报警数量和报警类型。在对COVID‐19采取防疫措施期间，野生动物救护生物学家接收到的报警总数有所降低，但与上一年相比没有显著差异。而在采取防疫措施期间，接收到的有关“疾病/受伤”以及“财产损失”等冲突类型的周平均报警数量显著减少。该分析为人类流动性的广泛变化如何影响到人与野生动物冲突提供了见解。 Reporting of human‐wildlife conflict persists regardless of the ability of humans to travel and gather. Widespread restriction on human movement may not significantly change the number of wildlife conflict reports but may impact the type of conflict reported to wildlife management agencies. Proactive public messaging during periods of modified human movement is suggested.