How empathy-based sensitisation and knowledge reinforcement affect policy compliance: a case study of dolphin watching, Ecuador

Abstract

Cetacean watching is an increasingly popular economic activity in Ecuador for tourism operators. Despite government regulations, cetacean watching can have a negative impact on observed animal populations. To enhance good dolphin-watching practices, a course was carried out in Puerto El Morro, Ecuador about sensitisation activities promoting empathy towards and knowledge about bottlenose dolphins, local avifauna and mangrove ecosystems. The course provided tourism operator staff with theoretical and practical knowledge on dolphin physiology and ecology, with a focus on empathy towards the species and on regulations to be respected during the watching tours. The course included interactive workshops, didactic materials, advice, video screening and structured conversations. Two innovative questionnaires were implemented on the boat during 68 dolphin-watching tours to evaluate whether the training course had improved the regulation compliance and on-tour guiding quality of the tour guides and boat drivers. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in dolphin-watching practices in compliance with the “Regulations for the Whale and Dolphin Watching of Ecuador” (p = .0002) and in guidance quality (p = .0004) after the training course. Boat drivers were identified as influential actors in compliance with regulations and should also be included in the environmental awareness training courses. The study showed that empathy-based sensitisation and knowledge reinforcement positively affect policy compliance and can generate new sustainable approaches for future dolphin-watching activities.

First report of Sarcoptes scabiei parasitism (Sarcoptiformes: Sarcoptidae) in Lycalopes sechurae (Mammalia: Carnivora)

“…Campaigns to raise awareness of and promote animal welfare are strategies that have had the effect of instigating behavioral change in communities, towards wildlife conservation (Villalba-Briones et al, 2021). Inclusion of empathy-building strategies can lead to deeper understanding of the drama that these animals suffer and may produce altruistic motivation for protection of wild animals and their populations (Villalba-Briones et al, 2021). Furthermore, a higher social responsibility regarding to domestic and feral animals can be promoted, in order to minimize possible impacts towards wildlife (Sepúlveda et al, 2014;Zapata-Ríos & Branch, 2018).…”

Release and follow-up of a rehabilitated two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) in a tropical dry forest in Ecuador

“…Depending on the case rescue or translocation, procedures are accordingly implemented. Due to this, prior to the release, a six-hour course for empathy-based sensitization (Villalba-Briones et al 2021) and management of wildlife was conducted for the ESPOL guards on charismatic native mammal species. In this course, two-toed sloths received special attention covering a third of the time effort.…”