Research overview: media framing and public perception of urban felids

How urban felids are portrayed in media and perceived by the public strongly influences tolerance, policy and conservation outcomes. This overview synthesises social-science research on news framing of leopard, puma and other felid encounters, the amplification of rare attacks, and the role of charismatic individuals such as famous city pumas in building public affection. It examines how perception shapes demands for removal versus coexistence, the effect of outreach and citizen science on attitudes, and the risk of fear-driven backlash. The synthesis frames public perception as a malleable, consequential factor that conservation communication can actively shape to favour coexistence.