Perceptions of Whooping Cranes among waterfowl hunters in Alabama: using specialization, awareness, knowledge, and attitudes to understand conservation behavior

ABSTRACT

A central component of successful wildlife conservation is the understanding of public perceptions toward a species. We administered an online survey to Alabama waterfowl hunters (n = 284) to examine differences in awareness and knowledge of and attitudes toward Whooping Cranes. We investigated if these variables and/or birding specialization influenced likeliness to participate in conservation behaviors. Specialization level was positively related to awareness, knowledge, and conservation attitudes. Respondents with greater knowledge and favorable attitudes toward cranes were more likely to donate to a hypothetical crane conservation fund, and expert birdwatchers were more likely to belong to a birding organization than novice or intermediate birdwatchers. Our research supplements existing birding specialization literature by incorporating cognitive variables specific to Whooping Cranes. Findings suggested that enhancing knowledge regarding Whooping Crane conservation may be an advantageous strategy for promoting conservation and positive behaviors toward the species.

KEYWORDS:

• Conservation behaviors
• endangered species
• specialization
• waterfowl hunters
• whooping crane

Additional information

Funding

We would like to thank the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the International Crane Foundation for funding this research.