Biodiversity conservation isn’t just about protecting species; it’s about changing the way we, as humans, interact with the natural world. Every major threat to wildlife, from climate change and pollution to habitat destruction, is driven by human behavior. That’s why influencing behavior is essential if we are to address the ongoing extinction crisis. Our recent … [Read more…]
In today’s digital age, mobile games have become a dominant form of entertainment, engaging billions worldwide. But can they also be used as a tool for conservation? This is the question we sought to answer with our study on a mobile game developed to support the critically endangered Kākāpō parrot in New Zealand. Our randomized … [Read more…]
Understanding whether wildlife trade is harming a species is no simple task. Much of the focus in conservation has been on larger, more charismatic species, while invertebrates like tarantulas often slip through the cracks. These species are traded in large numbers, and without proper monitoring and regulation, overharvesting can drive populations to dangerous levels. Yet, … [Read more…]
What Did We Do? We wanted to see which types of messages were most effective in changing consumer behavior. We worked with 2,496 people in China, including potential consumers of wildlife products and those not targeted as consumers. We tested three types of messages: What Did We Find? Our study revealed some interesting results: Why … [Read more…]
As conservationists, we often grapple with how to effectively motivate people to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviors. Whether it’s reducing consumption of wildlife products, embracing sustainable lifestyles, or supporting conservation policies, changing human behavior is critical for achieving our goals. In our recent paper, “Designing celebrity-endorsed behavioral interventions in conservation,” published in Conservation Biology, my … [Read more…]
LINK: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado1142 The wildlife trade spans across various species and motivators, including pet ownership, collections, and derived products like food and medicine. While some trade is legal and sustainable, illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade is growing globally, posing threats to species, ecosystems, and human health. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild … [Read more…]
The study explored the impact of a natural history film, “The Elephant Queen” (TEQ), on the attitudes of communities living near elephants in Southern Kenya. Human-elephant conflict poses a significant challenge to wildlife conservation, and while efforts have been made to mitigate conflict, few focus on fostering understanding and tolerance between humans and elephants. Researchers … [Read more…]
In the realm of conservation, the fate of many endangered species hinges not only on scientific assessments but also on public perception and support. However, a troubling phenomenon has emerged in recent years – the ‘beauty bias’ – where aesthetically pleasing species receive disproportionate attention compared to their less visually appealing counterparts. This bias has … [Read more…]
Dive into the world of shark fin consumption we uncover crucial insights in our latest study conducted in Singapore. Sharks, rays, and their cartilaginous relatives face significant threats globally, primarily due to overfishing driven by intricate market forces, including the demand for fins. Read it HERE Our study, centered around an online discrete choice experiment, … [Read more…]
Just published in Conservation Biology a new study looking at whether species named after celebrities get more attention from the public. We examined species across different animal groups – including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Here is what we found. Overall, species named after celebrities were very likely to have more page views … [Read more…]