Factors Affecting Zoo Visitors’ Conservation Beliefs and Knowledge of Large Carnivores in 2009 and a Dozen Years Later

Vesna Oražem, Aleksandra Majić Skrbinšek, Andrej Šorgo and Iztok Tomažič
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Vesna Oražem: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 111, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Aleksandra Majić Skrbinšek: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 111, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Andrej Šorgo: Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Iztok Tomažič: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 111, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Teaching in a formal learning environment mainly focuses on gaining knowledge, and scarcely on the development of pro-environmental attitudes. Knowledge can also be gained in informal learning institutions, such as zoos, and their potential use in general public education should not be neglected. This paper explores factors influencing the conservation beliefs of zoo visitors about brown bears, grey wolves, and Eurasian lynx. The study undertaken in Zoo Ljubljana (Slovenia) consisted of surveys performed in 2009 ( n = 613) and in 2021 ( n = 257). The levels of knowledge and education influenced both supporting and opposing beliefs about the three large carnivore species. The gender factor was less uniform: both supporting and opposing beliefs about lynx were demonstrated, but only opposing beliefs about brown bear and wolf. The study indicates that knowledge has the most significant influence on conservation beliefs, thus highlighting the importance of educational and communication activities in management and conservation actions regarding large carnivore species. The varied gender influence suggests that species-specific educational activities should be encouraged.

Keywords: large carnivores; conservation beliefs; knowledge; zoo visitors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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