Empowering citizens to effect change – a case study of zoo-based community conservation
Emily Dunstan A , Belinda Fairbrother B D and Monique Van Sluys C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Elliott Avenue, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
B Visitor Experience, Education and Community Programs, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
C Wildlife Conservation and Science, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: bfairbrother@zoo.nsw.gov.au
E The authors contributed equally to the manuscript; the order of authors is alphabetical.
Pacific Conservation Biology 22(2) 90-97 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC15035
Submitted: 26 October 2015 Accepted: 12 March 2016 Published: 8 April 2016
Abstract
There is little doubt that humans are directly impacting our planet, with biodiversity loss now rated as the most critical global environmental threat alongside climate change. The imperative to act is urgent, and the definition of wildlife conservation is expanding to include humans as central to the solution. Increasingly, behaviour change theories are becoming critical to community campaigns led by zoos, in order to increase the uptake of pro-environmental behaviours. Zoos are in a unique position to address biodiversity loss and can do so by working to inspire and influence their many visitors to change their behaviour in order to help wildlife. By engaging their visitors through interactive encounters with wildlife and by creating emotive experiences, zoos can foster a connection between people and nature that can lead to action and enable the public to help secure a future that meets the needs of both wildlife and people. Here, we critically examine a community conservation campaign aimed at increasing uptake of sustainable palm oil (and thus reducing the use of unsustainable palm oil) led by zoos in Australia and New Zealand. Here, we share the elements of success and key learning to build understanding and improvement of these programs globally.
Additional keywords: behaviour change, biodiversity, campaigns, zoos.
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