Wildlife conservation concerns transcend nations. Typically, wildlife does not mind about national borders. For instance, wolves have migrated from Poland to Germany in the recent past, and currently continue to explore The Netherlands. Also, concerns about conservation are not limited to those who are directly geographically affected. Many people living in nations without tigers are compassionate about, and financially contribute to, tiger conservation. In this context, research that addresses differences in thought about wildlife across nations can contribute to conservation science, knowing that public support is ultimately crucial to conservation success and effectiveness.
The present study measured wildlife value orientations in seven nations: The Netherlands, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Serbia, Japan, and Australia. Wildlife value orientations are patterns of basic beliefs that give direction and meaning to fundamental values in the context of wildlife. The concept is useful because it reflects general thought about human-wildlife relationships. Associated measurement scales have been previously applied in different nations, which suggest satisfactory reliability and predictive potential for a variety of specific variables, such as acceptability of management actions and conservation support. The aims of this presentation are to (a) assess the reliability of wildlife value orientation measurement across nations, and to (b) estimate differences in wildlife value orientations across nations.
Questionnaires were distributed amongst university students, with sample sizes ranging from 208 (Canada) to 391 (Malaysia) (Total N = 2176). Domination was measured based on appropriate use beliefs (six items) and hunting beliefs (four items). Mutualism was measured based on social affiliation beliefs (four items) and caring beliefs (five items). Items were all coded on seven-point scales (-3 strongly disagree to +3 strongly agree with 0 as a neutral point).
Reliability of the measurement of all basic beliefs was acceptable in all nations (i.e. Cronbach’s alpha ≥ .65), except of hunting beliefs in Japan (alpha = .54). Acceptable reliability levels within nations suggest that the measurement scales are feasible for cross-cultural research.
Multilevel modelling was used to estimate the effect of nation (group level variable) on wildlife value orientations, while controlling for sex, and size of village or city people grew up in (individual level variables). Nation explained 14% of the variance in domination, and 32% of the variance in mutualism. Students in Serbia were more domination oriented (mean = .41) and less mutualism orientated (mean = -.69) than students in other nations. Students in Australia were less domination orientated (mean = - 1.11) and more mutualism oriented (mean = 1.73) than students in other nations.
Theory frames wildlife value orientations as cultural ideologies. Individuals in different nations are socialized into adopting these ideologies during their formative years. Indeed, the findings indicate that differences across nations are considerable. Nation explains a larger amount of variability in wildlife value orientations than individual level demographics, the latter having been reported in the literature. This underlines the importance of cross-cultural research in the context of global conservation challenges.
Topics: Social-ecological systems as a framework for conservation management , Topics: Management of Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Large Carnivores in Europe , Topics: Natural Resource and Conservation Stakeholders: Managing Expectations and Engageme
