Publication

Human development near protected areas may pose challenges for carnivore conservation. In southern California, residential use of anticoagulant rodenticides is linked to non-target impacts on wild felids. We use an interdisciplinary policy sciences meta-framework and mixed methods to investigate landscape, social and policy factors affecting secondary rodenticide impacts on bobcats (Lynx rufus). Results suggest that landscape features, such as fruit trees and irrigation ditches are common locations for deploying anticoagulants. Residents construct a wildland-urban interface discourse that influences residential rodent control behaviour. Interviews with pest control operators and wildlife managers reveal a "scientized" management paradigm masking third-party residential anticoagulant use, which may have greater impacts on wild felids than residential use alone. The US Environmental Protection Agency may have reason to refocus anticoagulant use regulations to increase effectiveness in mitigating impacts on non-target wildlife. This study highlights the need for comprehensive, contextual policy to manage wildlife in the common interest.