Hunters' preferences for wildlife conflict management: The Egyptian mongoose expansion in Spain

Despite their crucial role in ecosystems, few studies have addressed attitudes toward mesocarnivores, even though their impact on human activities often leads to social conflicts. The Egyptian mongoose ( Herpestes ichneumon ) is expanding its distribution in the Iberian Peninsula, raising concerns among stakeholders, particularly hunters concerned with impacts on small‐game species. We assessed hunters' preferences for various mongoose management strategies through a discrete choice experiment with 1,009 hunters from central‐southern Spain between October 2021 and April 2022. Participants evaluated several mongoose management scenarios regarding mongoose distribution, abundance, and effects on other predators. Hunters exhibited a strong preference for reducing mongoose abundance, and a moderate preference for limiting its range of expansion and for controlling other predator species, particularly those that are also game species. Spatial differences emerged regarding preferences for managing mongoose abundance, distribution, and other predators. In a region where mongoose range has recently expanded, respondents advocated for prevention strategies to contain the species' distribution. In regions where the mongoose has been more widespread for a longer period, hunters favored abundance reduction. While there was consensus among participants on the need for mongoose management, our results warrant regional‐specific approaches that are likely to be more acceptable for hunters. Overall, hunters' preferences reflect a complex interplay of ecological perceptions and management strategies. Future management plans should integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives to develop effective and socially acceptable wildlife management policies.