Schoolchildren and One of the Most Unpopular Animals: Are They Ready to Protect Snakes?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

ballouard, jm (Author) Other; ajtic, r (Author) Other; balint, h (Author) Other; brito, jc (Author) FCUP; crnobrnja-isailovic, j (Author) Other; desmonts, d (Author) Other; elmouden, e (Author) Other; erdogan, m (Author) Other; feriche, m (Author) Other; pleguezuelos, jm (Author) Other; prokop, p (Author) Other; sanchez, a (Author) Other; santos, x (Author) Other; slimani, t (Author) Other; tomovic, l (Author) Other; usak, m (Author) Other; zuffi, m (Author) Other; bonnet, x (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Anthrozoos

Vol. 26

Pages: 93-109

ISSN: 0892-7936

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 1 Citation

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Sociology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-04S

DOI: 10.2752/175303713X13534238631560

Abstract (EN): For cultural reasons and due to the narrow vision of environmental policy makers, most conservation efforts focus on a few charismatic species and consequently neglect the majority of others under threat; many unpopular species are even killed in large numbers with little concern. Redressing this bias through educational programs is therefore important. Snakes are unpopular animals; they suffer from human harassment in most places and many populations have declined worldwide. Consequently, they provide suitable substrate to better improve conservation education in schoolchildren. Responses to a questionnaire administered to 2,570 schoolchildren (7-14 years old) from 10 countries showed that many children liked snakes and that most of the students wanted to see snakes protected. Such counterintuitive results were supported by the explanations given by the children, notably the reasons they liked or disliked snakes. Previous physical contact with snakes was often associated with snake likeability. We also found strong and expected differences between countries: for instance, where venomous snakes represented a health risk, most children declared to be afraid of snakes. Overall, our results negate the simplistic, and previously unverified, adult view that snakes are necessarily perceived as frightening animals, thereby justifying their persecution. This study provides an encouraging message, suggesting that it is not compulsory to focus on charismatic animals to convince children to protect wildlife.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17