A computer model suggests that wildlife may face survival problems if some of the humans in the environment help wild animals while others hunt them
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Wild animals might quickly learn whether humans are trustworthy, based on their own experiences and those of their group members. But different humans act differently towards animals – and these “mixed messages” put animals at risk of trusting the wrong humans, says“When we feed wild animals, for example, it feels nice for us, and it’s a selfless thing we’re doing,” she says. “But we don’t know later on if that animal is going to wander up to someone who’s not going to be as appreciative.
However, the model also suggests that fast learning in places where different people in the human population have different attitudes towards wild animals can be detrimental, says Goumas. The simulated animals in these environments quickly made conclusions about all humans based on a single good or bad experience. “We tend to think ‘learning quickly sounds good’, and that it must always be better,” she says. “But the problem is … it can be a bit excessive.