Public awareness and perceptual factors in the conservation of elusive species: The case of the endangered Ryukyu flying fox

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe success of biological conservation initiatives is not solely reliant on the collection of ecological information, but equally on public adherence to protection programs. Awareness and perception of target species condition the intensity and orientation of public involvement in conservation initiatives. Their evaluation is critical in the case of elusive animals, for which incertitude surrounding public attitude is maximized. This study featured the first assessment of public awareness and perceptual factors of a megabat (Pteropodidae). We investigated inhabitants' feelings, knowledge, and frequency of sightings related to the solitary Ryukyu flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus) on Ishigaki island, Japan. The willingness to protect this species and mitigate its impact on agriculture was evaluated through contingent valuation. This fruit bat was not credited with aesthetic or scientific values, yet atypically did not trigger negativistic attitude. While respondents were reasonably aware of its existence, they were largely ignorant of its ecological importance. An overall lack of interest for this species was revealed by a low willingness-to-pay for its protection. The rejection of lethal control as means to protect orchards was, however, unequivocal. The success of P. dasymallus preservation may depend on the prior implementation of education programs focusing on aesthetic, ecological and utilitarian values.

Socio‐demographic drivers and public perceptions of consumption and conservation of Asian horseshoe crabs in northern Beibu Gulf, China

“…Kwan et al () explained that when the students were engaged in community projects, this change in attitude was caused by an emotional attachment to the juvenile horseshoe crabs, which may suppress their intention to try a horseshoe crab meal and resist the cultural influence of family and peers. A good understanding of ecological information could promote the effectiveness of conservation programmes (Aipanjiguly et al, ; Makashvili, Kaishauri, & Azmaiparashvili, ; Vincenot et al, ). With scientific input from researchers, a fundamental change in the formal curriculum is required to incorporate biological and ecological knowledge into the school curriculum.…”

“…Conservation in Asian regions has historically been dominated by concerns regarding biological and ecological information of threatened species (Lee et al, 2005). More recently, some studies posited that insufficient knowledge of the community's values and socio-demographic concerns would typically lead to unsatisfactory outcomes (Aipanjiguly, Jacobson, & Flamm, 2003;Vincenot, Collazo, Wallmo, & Koyama, 2015). The Beibu Gulf is the remaining coastal area that holds a high abundance of T. tridentatus (Brockmann & Smith, 2009;Liao & Li, 2001;Weng et al, 2012).…”

The effect of knowledge, species aesthetic appeal, familiarity and conservation need on willingness to donate

“…The determination of species’ aesthetic appeal was based on a literature review. For example, bats were perceived as ugly or unattractive in previous studies (Knight, ; Vincenot et al ., ). Our study species occur in four different ecosystems: savanna, rainforest, Finnish old‐growth forest and Finnish freshwater ecosystems, and thus we chose these as study ecosystems (Table ).…”

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in the Ryukyu Flying Fox Inferred from Remote Sampling in the Yaeyama Archipelago

“…P. dasymallus is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List [20] and has been the object of serious conservation concerns, due to the recent discovery of unreported threat factors [21], conflicts with farmers and culling which have resulted in important fatality [18,[21][22]. Low likeability and lack of support for conservation further warrant increased attention [23].…”