Exploring Shenandoah National Park

Source: National Park Service

Exploring Shenandoah National Park

Choosing Shenandoah National Park as my research area aligns perfectly with my interests in human-wildlife interaction and the human dimensions of wildlife. My academic background, particularly my master's thesis on attitudes toward brown bears in rural areas of Iran, has provided me with valuable insights into these topics.

Months ago, during my research, I came across Shenandoah National Park and learned about its high bear population (Carney 1985). Realizing the potential for conflicts, especially regarding wildlife feeding, I was inspired to start drafting a proposal to explore these issues further. This proposal may serve as the foundation for my future research in Shenandoah National Park.

According to the National Park Service (2022), Bears are particularly successful in Shenandoah National Park due to the large contiguous forest habitat it provides, resulting in one of the highest per capita black bear populations in the United States. The high population of bears in the park, combined with high numbers of visitors, has led to a multitude of conflicts (Hockett & Hall, 2007), especially regarding wildlife feeding by tourists. These conflicts present a challenging yet intriguing scenario that I am passionate about exploring.

Through in-depth fieldwork, interviews with visitors, and collaboration with park authorities, I intend to investigate the motivations behind wildlife feeding, its impacts on bear behavior and ecology, and potential management strategies to mitigate conflicts.

Furthermore, Shenandoah National Park's remarkable Farsi-speaking visitor population, coupled with my Iranian background, offers a unique opportunity for interviews, enriching the study with diverse perspectives. The park even offers informational materials in Farsi, indicating the recognition of the importance and abundance of Iranian visitors. Engaging with this diverse community will provide valuable insights into mitigating conflicts and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Overall, the combination of my academic background, research interests, and the unique characteristics of Shenandoah National Park make it the perfect choice for my current and future endeavors.

 

Google Maps Link of Shenandoah National Park

Google Earth Link of Shenandoah National Park

 

References:

Carney, D. W. (1985). Population dynamics and denning ecology of black bears in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).

Hockett, K. S., & Hall, T. E. (2007). The effect of moral and fear appeals on park visitors’ beliefs about feeding wildlife. Journal of Interpretation Research, 12(1), 5-27.

National Park Service. (2022). American Black Bear. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/nature/black-bear.htm