The rarity and overexploitation paradox: stag beetle collections in Japan

Tournant, Pierline; Joseph, Liana N.; Goka, Koichi; Courchamp, Franck

doi:10.1007/s10531-012-0253-y

Cited by 35 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Experiments in zoos and web-based questionnaires have demonstrated the value of rarity for plant and animal species [19], [20]. The disproportionate value and resulting exploitation of rare species has been evidenced in markets as different as exotic pet collections [21], luxury good consumption [22] and ecotourism [23]. In addition, the relationship we show here for felids has also been demonstrated for trophy hunting of ungulates [13], [24].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Cat Dilemma: Too Protected To Escape Trophy Hunting?

et al. 2011

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Trophy hunting is one of the most controversial issues in the field of biodiversity conservation. In particular, proponents and opponents debate fiercely over whether it poses a threat to hunted populations. Here, we show that trophy hunting constitutes a greater menace to threatened species than previously realized. Because humans value rarity, targeted species that are threatened are likely to be disproportionately hunted, thereby becoming even more vulnerable, which could eventually push them to extinction. With the ten felid species currently hunted for their trophies, we present evidence that (1) the number of killed individuals increases with time, in several cases exponentially, despite population declines, (2) the price of trophies is strongly dependent on species protection status, (3) changes of protection status coincide with counter-intuitive changes of hunting pressures: protection intensification with augmented hunting effort, and protection relaxation with lower effort. This suggests an over-exploitation of trophy-hunted felids and the necessity of a better quota system coupled with reconsidered protection methods.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Cat Dilemma: Too Protected To Escape Trophy Hunting?

et al. 2011

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“…However, such choice experiments have previously been conducted in a range of habitat types including wetlands (Hoehn et al, 2003;Westerberg et al, 2010), and forests (Hanley et al, 1998;Naidoo and Adamowicz, 2005), so applicable preference data may already be available in the literature. Alternatively, other indices of popularity, such as Google search volume (Żmihorski et al, 2013) taxa rarity (Tournant et al, 2012), or qualitative methods such as focus group studies (Moran et al, 2007) or expert knowledge (Strager and Rosenberger, 2006) could be used to estimate the relative preference of the public for habitat components.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial variation in the impact of dragonflies and debris on recreational ecosystem services in a floodplain wetland

et al. 2015

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a b s t r a c tRecreation is an important ecosystem service. The interaction between people and habitat components is rarely considered in the analyses of recreational experiences, making it difficult to predict what people will experience. In this study we develop a modelling framework that describes three stages of interaction between people and habitats. This framework considers: (1) the distribution of habitat components in the environment, (2) the proportion of the available components that visitors notice, and (3) the net impact of multiple components on the quality of the recreational experience. The model was applied to a case study river floodplain, and was used to estimate visitor exposure to a combination of positive habitat components (dragonflies) and negative components (debris). The model provided an index of net impacts on experience quality that showed spatial variation across the floodplain, and this analysis highlighted areas that would deliver more positive experiences to visitors. The results of a sensitivity analysis indicated that neglecting the noticeability (observation rate) of habitat components resulted in different predictions. It is therefore important that the noticeability of habitat components is considered during analyses of recreational experiences, and recreational ecosystem service valuations.

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“…stag beetles in Japan, New 2005). The popularity of specific species appears to be changeable, influenced by cost and availability (Stringham and Lockwood 2018), rarity (and perceived "prestige", Tournant et al 2012), and fashion fads (Rehfeld 2005) driven by external factors such as celebrity interest. For example, news reports of Paris Hilton and her pet kinkajou (Potos flavus) in 2007 were closely followed by increases in exports of kinkajous from their native Guyana to the US (L. Harrington, unpub.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

Harrington¹,

Macdonald²,

D’Cruze³

2019

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In response to growing reports of otters in the pet trade, and suggestions that the popularity of pet otters on social media may be driving demand, we collated YouTube videos of pet otters to test for trends in the number of videos published, their exposure (number of views) and popularity. We used English-language search terms to provide a global overview, as well as local language search terms for four South East Asian countries identified as being of potential importance in the pet otter trade (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam), and Japan. We found that not only had the number of videos depicting pet otters increased in the last two to three years (2016–2018), but that their popularity and/or engagement had also increased. Notwithstanding some country-level differences in the details of effects observed, the greatest increases in both the number of videos produced and their popularity occurred in Indonesia and Japan. At a global-level, commercial “viral” video sites appeared to be influential in terms of posting highly popular pet otter videos. At a national level, potentially influential videos tended to be produced by four or five individual otter owners. The appearance of phrases such as “I want one” in the comments section of the English-language videos, although not necessarily a statement of actual intent, suggests that these videos may be driving demand amongst their viewers and followers; similar analyses of video comments in each local language are warranted. Our results show an increase in social media activity that may not only be driving the apparent increase in popularity, but also amplifying awareness of the availability of these animals as pets, as well as creating and perpetuating the (erroneous) perception of otters as a suitable companion animal. At a global level, there are welfare concerns associated with otters in the pet trade, and, in South East Asia specifically, there are serious conservation concerns. We recommend increased regulation of these activities on social media, increased public awareness of the negative impacts of the pet trade on otters, and increased international protection. Specifically, we suggest the need to uplist both small-clawed and smooth-coated otters (Aonyxcinereus and Lutrogaleperspicillata, respectively) to CITES Appendix 1.

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The rarity and overexploitation paradox: stag beetle collections in Japan

Cited by 35 publications

References 27 publications

Cat Dilemma: Too Protected To Escape Trophy Hunting?

Cat Dilemma: Too Protected To Escape Trophy Hunting?

Spatial variation in the impact of dragonflies and debris on recreational ecosystem services in a floodplain wetland

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

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