Birders' Perceptions of Whooping Cranes in North Alabama

Birding has gained significant popularity as a form of ecotourism over the last 20 years. Birders, which are categorized by their commitment to observing and identifying avian species, currently constitute the largest group of... [ view full abstract ]

Birding has gained significant popularity as a form of ecotourism over the last 20 years. Birders, which are categorized by their commitment to observing and identifying avian species, currently constitute the largest group of eco-tourists across the globe. In the United States alone, birders spend an estimated $15 billion on trips and over $26 billion on birding equipment annually. One site in the southeastern United States that is popular among birders is Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in North Alabama. This refuge commonly hosts nearly 300 species of birds, including the federally endangered Whooping Crane. The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) was nearly extirpated in the mid-20th century due to habitat conversion and unregulated hunting. Throughout the last 75 years, the species has made a remarkable recovery, resulting from numerous attempts to re-establish populations across the United States. To celebrate conservation efforts and bring local recognition to this species, Wheeler began hosting the annual Festival of the Cranes in 2013. Birding festivals are beneficial to local communities due to the enhanced revenue and publicity for local heritage and culture, and the potential to express values for conserving wildlife species and their habitats.
Despite these efforts, poaching incidents have been documented in North Alabama. The combination of a proportionally large and likely growing crane population in this region increases the potential for future human-crane conflicts, highlighting the need for social science approaches. Using the cognitive hierarchy, a survey was developed to understand the wildlife value orientations, beliefs, attitudes, emotional disposition, social norms, and behavioral intentions regarding the conservation and poaching of Whooping Cranes in North Alabama. The survey was administered to 1,500 randomly selected individuals within a three county region where the refuge is located. We then administered a similar survey to 1,000 birders in Alabama to compare our initial results to this specialized group of individuals. We expect birders, especially those that have attended the Festival of the Cranes, to have higher knowledge and awareness of cranes, as well as stronger attitudes and support for conservation of the species.