An Economic Analysis of the Influence of Different Attitudes Toward Game Animals: Emphasizing the Significance of Large Carnivores

This paper investigates the influence of a change in attitude toward the sustainableresource use of wild animals that exist under a prey–predator relationship. We builda theoretical model in which use value (price value) and non-use value (for example,existence value) are incorporated; we then conduct a numerical simulation to examineseveral cases with varying values. The primary results are as follows. Firstly, we reaffirmthat it is important for people to value prey as well as predators in order to maintain aviable population. Secondly, as the willingness to pay for the prey increases relative tothe price of the prey, the amount of the resource will be prioritized over the amount of theharvest. Thirdly, the minimum/maximum price may be required for resource conservationand conservation rather than protection is required even if the willingness to pay for theprey increases. Finally, the existence of the predator is desirable in that it improves theoptimal resource level of the prey.