Abstract The likeability of organisms is an effective tool for conservation education. However, stimulating the cute appeal of animals can also bolster the desire to possess them, and thus can encourage the trade in animals as pets. We assessed the perception of primary French schoolchildren (7–11 years old) for the Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni), a popular species endangered by illegal harvesting. Likeability for tortoises is associated with a strong willingness to protect them. Many children, however, expressed controversial attitudes toward them, such as the desire to possess a tortoise as a pet and to remove it from its natural habitat. Likeability was a significant determinant of these attitudes, and must thus be used with caution. Implementing these findings in conservation education programs should, therefore, be considered.

中文翻译：

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人气是双刃剑吗？孩子们既要保护又要收获乌龟

摘要 生物的可爱性是保护教育的有效工具。然而，激发动物的可爱魅力也可以增强拥有它们的欲望，从而可以鼓励将动物作为宠物进行交易。我们评估了法国小学生（7-11 岁）对赫尔曼陆龟 (Testudo hermanni) 的看法，赫尔曼陆龟是一种因非法捕捞而濒临灭绝的流行物种。对乌龟的喜爱程度与保护它们的强烈意愿有关。然而，许多孩子对他们表达了有争议的态度，例如希望拥有一只乌龟作为宠物并将其从自然栖息地中移除。讨人喜欢是这些态度的重要决定因素，因此必须谨慎使用。因此，应考虑在保护教育计划中实施这些发现。