The dissemination of relevant information on wildlife utilization and its connection with the illegal trade in wildlife

Abstract

We analyzed the generation and dissemination of relevant information on wildlife utilization based on the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach.), the tiger (Panthera tigris L.) and the totoaba, a species of marine fish, (Totoaba macdonaldi Gilbert) as examples, whose populations are more threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. We compared the illegal trade in wildlife with related information in order to find possible associations, searched for relevant information on major international websites to summarize similarities in information production and dissemination, and used a “Zhiwei” dissemination analysis platform to analyze the dissemination of information circulated at Microblog. The results show that the most influential information related to the trade in wildlife is mainly generated from news media websites and new self-media platforms, usually from non-governmental organizations concerned with wildlife protection. The main factors that affect the depth and breadth of disseminating relevant information on wildlife utilization include the participation of relatively influential opinion leaders, the verification ratio of forwarding users, the number of followers, and affective identification. Misleading information can stimulate and promote poaching and smuggling, regardless of their real market demand or their products. Therefore, all links in the course of information dissemination should be carefully examined in order to purify the information environment and reduce adverse effects of misleading information on wildlife protection.

Tracking Chinese newspaper coverage of elephant ivory through topic modeling

“…It can also help identify emerging or potential challenges and critical moments for effecting changes. If feasible, conservationists should collaborate closely with media professionals, such as journalists, editors, and television program producers, to contribute to the media narrative on wildlife issues (Nanni et al., 2022; Song et al., 2021). A deeper understanding of and engagement with mass media can assist conservationists in more effectively participating in social processes and ultimately achieving desired conservation outcomes.…”

The Impact of Information on Attitudes toward Sustainable Wildlife Utilization and Management: A Survey of the Chinese Public

“…The influencer is an important concept in communication science, and refers to activists who often provide information for others in interpersonal communication networks and influence the behavior and attitudes of others. They play an important mediating role in the formation of mass communication effects as important drivers of the formation of many public opinions [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Such influencers, at the center of public opinion, selectively access information and knowingly or unknowingly interpret it through their filtering role and integrate and process information for active communication, to deliberately influence the thinking of their followers.…”