INTRODUCTION
Understanding animal behavior can provide information to wildlife and conservation managers in an attempt the manage biodiversity. Conservation behavior is a relatively new interdisciplinary field using animal behavior to help solve wildlife conservation issues. Using theoretical and methodological information from various fields in biology, ecology and animal behavior, biologists attempt to enrich and preserve biodiversity. This new discipline's usefulness in promoting real life conservation issues is often subject to debate, with some scientists arguing that the importance of animal behavior in conservation practice is overemphasized.
Understanding conservation behavior is generally used to solve conservation issues of a single species. Biologists, who understand animal behavior as it applies to conservation, use a variety of approaches which may provide insight to effectively manage a single species. It is important to note many countries have environmental programs in place that focuses only on individual species.
Tourism based on free-ranging animals located in remote wilderness areas and natural parks is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. This rapid growth of tourism is having an impact on wildlife worldwide. These impacts are continuous and leading to rapid human modification in natural environments, increasing interaction between humans and wildlife. Although studying behavioral responses to human disturbances is generally not the preferred way to establish whether a species feels threatened due to the presence of humans, it can provide insights into the mechanisms underlying human-animals interaction by evaluating them from the anti-predator perspective.
Risk disturbance hypothesis...
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...maller groups or sparse vegetation and steep terrain reduced the dilution effect.
This research required little input from researchers to determine how habitat quality varies from day to day with the presence of tourist. This study has provided valuable information for conservation managers in deciding when and where to allow access by tourists. One strong suggestion was to limit human access to a prime foraging location where the Ibex could remain undisturbed while foraging.
My final thought is numerous studies have indicated that behavior is relevant to conservation and conservation behavior can be used to promote and preserve biodiversity. This article clearly demonstrates the importance of understanding behavior in striking a balance between tourism and conservation. Incorporating animal behavior into conservation programs should not be subject to debate.
the idea of the wild and its importance and necessity of human interaction with the wild.
person’s contact with a wild animal comes about through hunting. In theory, hunting is a
For the purpose of this paper I visited the Los Angeles Zoo, on October 23, 2015. Luckily I was able to visit all of the animals in the short amount of time I had. I primarily stayed at the Gorilla and Chimp exhibit to understand their behaviors and how they act like us.
As for everything in life, it includes a long process of changing solid opinions towards the existence of animals. Through the mistreatment of animals, and to our societies’ view it is take more than one voice and one heart to change their understanding of the animal life. For that very reason there has been a development in organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and people like Dr. Malamud in his interview that are making it known to society that there’s a need of balance within the wildlife and civilization. As humans progress to a better lifestyle requiring materials and time, animals just want to live peacefully without any threats in their habitat, without a fear of mankind. When it comes down to it, animals and human aren’t really that different we both see and hear the same.
Over a century ago, humans fought animals for dominance of the landscape and we regrettably won, now they’re in need of our protection. The Government and Organizations have come to the rescue of wildlife species all across the U.S. Their main goal is to protect wildlife species from over harvesting and also their loss of habitat due to industrial and residential development. The beauty and curiosity of wildlife captivates all of us for different reasons. For certain species, they are the link to our existence Animals are not being hunted into extinction because the government is protecting certain wildlife areas and are controlling the animal populations within those certain areas. While increasing a wildlife species population and removing from the endangered species list, a predator such as the gray wolf, is sure to be seen as a success to some and a threat to others.
"How Zoos Are Saving Our Animals." – Features – ABC Environment (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.
For Banff National Park, it is essential to create an environment where humans and wildlife are able to coexist. Often interactions between humans and wildlife result in conflict, yet as a national Park, Banff values the existence and biodiversity of wildlife. The park has already taken huge steps to mitigate conflict, in order to provide the best experience for their 3.5 million annual visitors (Evans, 2013). Two approaches Banff National Park has taken to promote coexistence are constructing wildlife underpasses and overpasses, and reintroducing bison to the park.
Marseille, Mirko M., Birgit H. M. Elands, and Meike L. van den Brink. "Experiencing Polar Bears In The Zoo: Feelings And Cognitions In Relation To A Visitor's Conservation Attitude." Human Dimensions Of Wildlife 17.1 (2012): 29-43. Environment Index. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Fravel, Laura. “Critics Question Zoos' Commitment to Conservation.” National Geographic News. National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 13 Nov. 2003. Web. Nov. 2013.
During my time at the Washington National Zoo I got to see a numerous amount of distinct species of animals. The exhibit where I spent most of my time observing animals was the small mammal house. The exhibit contained more than 35 species, but it felt like it only contained about half of that. Many of the species were either hiding or seemed unresponsive and I believe this is due to the fact that the exhibit was very crowded. All the noise, staring, and pointing must affect the animals in some way especially if they are exposed to this constantly. I will conduct an experiment to test the effect of human visitors on animal behavior. If there are less visitors in the exhibit, than the animals will show a positive behavior.
Some species of animals are overpopulating the areas in which they live, creating many problems to themselves and there ecosystem. Their food is becoming very scarce in some areas, and are whipping out native plants and shrubs in others. The starvation of an animal is a very slow and agonizing death for them and is quit a pathetic way for a majestic animal to perish. With overpopulation the animals are then forced into the cities in search of food and that in its self brings along many problems. Through controlled hunting many problems can be eliminated. In order to guarantee the feature of the wildlife of our great country there must be a push towards population control of species, and also a push toward controlled hunting.
Since approximately 1250 B.C., ancient Egyptians had created and practiced the capture and display of animals in what are now known as zoos (Fravel). Records describe such exotic animals as birds, lions, giraffes, and tigers in captivity (Fravel). Since then, zoos have continued to entertain millions with the exciting chance to view exotic animals up close and personal. Even in ancient Greece, exotic animals were on display in fighting arenas, and in enclosed viewing areas. Originally in America, zoos were just created so that royalty and the wealthy could flaunt their exotic animals to the public (Leolupus). Today, with species threatened and habitats disappearing worldwide, zoos are serving a new purpose other than the mere exhibition of animals – conservation. (Fravel). When you think of a zoo, you either think of a fun, entertaining place that provides close-up and exciting exhibits of wild animals that you would otherwise never get the chance to see, or a place where people keep suffering, unhappy animals captive just for entertainment and display. However, despite whichever view you hold, and despite the stereotypes, some zoos have evolved to serve alternative and helpful purposes. Although some zoos face controversy due to allegations such as lack of space and quality care, neglect, and cruelty, some zoos have programs specifically designed to help and protect animal species. For example, these zoos have programs that help such conservation efforts as breeding.
Syne, A., 2006. Meta-analytic review of the effects of enrichment on stereotypic behavior in zoo mammals. Zoo Biology , 25(4), pp. 317-337.
Supporters of zoos argue that they help to conserve endangered species, but in fact they are not very good at this. Even the world famous panda-breeding programme has been very costly and unsuccessful. Also, zoo life does not prepare animals for the challenges of life in the wild. For example, two rare lynxes released into the wild in Colorado died from starvation even though the area was full of hares, which are a lynx’s natural prey.
Loss of biodiversity is an environmental issue that is causing a lot of global concern. Some of the main causes for loss in biodiversity are alteration of habitats, increasing levels of pollution and human population growth. There are measures that are being taken worldwide to prevent loss of biodiversity. Many wildlife sanctuaries have been built worldwide to preserve the lives of various endangered species. However, it is important to remember that every individual has a role in the protection of wildlife and biodiversity. Every human being should play his part of the role by following simple rules such as stopping others from the hunting of endangered species, preventing deforestation, encouraging reforestation and creating awareness among fellow human beings.