Charisma and conservation: charismatic megafauna’s influence on safari and zoo tourists’ pro-conservation behaviors

Skibins, Jeffrey C.; Powell, Robert B.; Hallo, Jeffrey C.

doi:10.1007/s10531-013-0462-z

Cited by 106 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…We showed first that the level of charisma had a positive impact on animal choice, but a negative impact on the amount donated, or WTP. The positive effect of charisma on animal choice is consistent with previous literature (Bennett et al 2015, Skibins et al 2013); however, its negative effect on WTP is striking, and suggests that those who adopted less charismatic species probably engage more strongly with species conservation, acknowledging the strong selection biases that might exist in favour of charismatic species. In other words, committed people might tend to make a strategic choice, anticipating that some non-charismatic species are likely to attract little support and deciding to compensate accordingly.…”

Section: Charisma Effectssupporting

confidence: 87%

Human preferences for species conservation: Animal charisma trumps endangered status

Colléony

Clayton

Couvet

et al. 2017

Biological Conservation

231

155

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A good deal of research has recently focused on people's commitment to biodiversity conservation by investigating their "willingness-to-pay" (WTP). Because of the public's self-reported preferences for species that are more charismatic or similar to humans, conservation programs are often biased toward these species. Our study aimed to explore the determinants of WTP among 10 066 participants in a zoo conservation program. The program aims to raise money to support conservation programs and involves donating a sum of money to "adopt" an animal in the zoo. We explored whether participants were influenced by particular scientific characteristics of the animal (IUCN conservation status and phylogenetic distance from humans) or by more affect-related characteristics, such as the charisma of the animal. We found that participants did not choose an animal to adopt because of the endangered status of the species, and did not donate more to endangered species than to other species. Instead, they were more likely to choose a charismatic species. However, surprisingly, those who chose a less charismatic species gave more money on average to the program than those who adopted more charismatic species, suggesting a higher level of commitment among the former. These results therefore suggest that this type of conservation program may not be an effective way of reconnecting people with conservation issues related to endangered species. We therefore advise zoos to communicate more strongly on the level of threat to species and to increase the ratio of endangered over charismatic species in their animal adoption programs.

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Section: Charisma Effectssupporting

confidence: 87%

Human preferences for species conservation: Animal charisma trumps endangered status

Colléony

Clayton

Couvet

et al. 2017

Biological Conservation

231

155

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Only one study (Hill, Woodland, & Gough, 2007) describes an NBT experience lacking interpretation; in this case, the interpretationfree condition was developed by the researchers to compare the effects of rainforest visits with and without the use of information sheets. It was occasionally difficult to ascertain whether interpretation was included in all of the experiences that visitors undertook (Dearden, Bennett, & Rollins, 2007;Skibins, Powell, & Hallo, 2013;Stamation, Croft, Shaughnessy, Waples, & Briggs, 2007). For example, Skibins et al (2013) surveyed safari participants departing from a Tanzanian airport.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-based tourism's impact on environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behavior: a review and analysis of the literature and potential future research

Ardoin

Wheaton

Bowers

et al. 2015

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

188

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2015): Nature-based tourism's impact on environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behavior: a review and analysis of the literature and potential future research, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Although nature-based tourism is often promoted as benefiting local destinations through income generation, employment, and direct conservation support, it is also believed to influence tourists' environmentally friendly attitudes, knowledge, and ultimately their behavior. Yet, few studies have empirically documented these outcomes, and those that do are inconsistent in the variables measured and the time frame analyzed. This paper examines the empirical research on nature-based tourism's ability to foster long-term stewardship behavior among travelers by conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed tourism research published between 1995 and 2013. This search, focused on literature addressing changes in tourists' environmentally related knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and actual behaviors, yielded just 30 empirical studies. Outcomes related to new environmental knowledge were commonly reported in these studies, but findings related to environmental attitudes and behaviors were inconsistent. Few studies measured environmental behavior directly, and fewer still include longitudinal assessments of persistent changes in attitudes or behaviors. We suggest potential future areas for research as well as programmatic strategies that may facilitate favorable outcomes from naturebased tourism, particularly those related to tourists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Key areas include understanding visitors' prior experiences and background, designing and delivering more effective interpretive messages, and using social media.

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“…Recent research has revealed a number of the salient aspects of visitor wildlife experiences (including interpretation) that contribute the most to environmental learning (Luebke & Matiasek, 2013;Skibins, Powell, & Hallo, 2013). These include: the opportunity to observe animals in their 'natural' environment; opportunities for close encounters with wildlife and to observe animal behaviour; visitors' emotional engagement with animals; connecting with visitors' prior knowledge and experience; and providing time to reflect.…”

Section: Reaching the Zoo Or Aquarium Visitormentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the implications of cultural diversity for environmental learning at an African aquarium

Mann¹

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Zoos and aquariums, which are visited by over 700 million people each year, can play a vital role in exposing and sensitising visitors about the importance of environmental conservation and encourage them to engage in environmentally responsible behaviours after their visit. To attract visitors, zoos and aquariums offer a range of experiences that focus on the viewing of live animals. These may include animal presentations, personal interactions between staff and visitors, opportunities to physically interact with the animals and, most commonly, the use of interpretive signage. Most zoo and aquarium experiences are aimed at increasing visitors' awareness of, interest in and concern for environmental issues. To improve the design of visitor experiences, research is needed to evaluate the impact of a visit on visitor environmental learning outcomes, which are a major part of the zoo and aquarium raison

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Charisma and conservation: charismatic megafauna’s influence on safari and zoo tourists’ pro-conservation behaviors

Cited by 106 publications

References 71 publications

Human preferences for species conservation: Animal charisma trumps endangered status

Human preferences for species conservation: Animal charisma trumps endangered status

Nature-based tourism's impact on environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behavior: a review and analysis of the literature and potential future research

Exploring the implications of cultural diversity for environmental learning at an African aquarium

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