Preservation or Restoration

A study of several dozen nations with different economic situations found that those living in relatively poorer nations are equally or more concerned about the environment when compared with those living in wealthier nations.

Humans are the overwhelming cause of bird deaths. Those who try to frame the issue as a "cats versus birds" debate contribute, perhaps unwittingly, to the further decline of bird populations. Alley Cat Allies Legal Director Wendy Anderson explores the real reasons birds are at risk -- human accountability -- and the role lawyers can play in animal protection.

Public support for the management of grizzly bears and wolves in the Northern Rockies was greater in areas where the likelihood of conflicts with humans or property was also greatest. This is more true of private land than public spaces. Greater support was also noted for non-lethal means of intervention as opposed to lethal means.

This article describes the International Elephant Foundation's efforts to protect and conserve the African and Asian Elephants. The African Elephant population has fallen from 1.6 million to fewer than 500,000 in the past 25 years, while Asian Elephants are ten times more endangered than their African counterparts.

This survey by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department assesses residents' attitudes toward various wildlife species including deer, black bear, moose, wild turkeys, and others. Also, the frequency of human-wildlife conflicts and residents' attitudes toward them are also examined within the scope of this study by Responsive Management.

According to this survey by WildAid and the Social Survey Institute Of China, Chinese consumers have little understanding of the negative environmental impacts of shark losses, while public support for shark conservation is mounting. The survey also produced in-depth information on the status of shark fin consumption, and identified public attitudes toward shark conservation in China.

This survey of people residing in the southeastern United States assessed public opinion of fish and wildlife agencies and related management issues, finding that most people in Florida disapprove of legal hunting and do not consider legal hunting opportunities to be important. Moreover, most Floridians do not believe that efforts to conserve wildlife habitat are adequate.

A report from the wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC finds that "bush meat" hunting by hungry East African refugees is decimating populations of chimpanzees, buffaloes, and zebras in Tanzania.

Research among 510 Tsimane' Amerindians living in the rainforests of Bolivia show how the prices of game and meat from domesticated animals affect the consumption of game. The study revealed that the price of fish and meat from livestock is positively correlated with consumption of wildlife, suggesting that policy makers may be able to reduce the unsustainable hunting of wildlife for food by reducing the price of fish and meat from domesticated animals relative to that of wildlife.

This 2005 survey found that by a margin of 53% to 38%, Americans oppose proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The majority feel there are better alternatives to drilling in the Arctic Refuge.