ABSTRACT

Giraffe populations are in continued decline and there is limited work on the human dimensions of giraffe conservation. This article assessed relationships among human dimensions concepts (normative belief, attitude, existence belief, perceptions) specific to the reticulated giraffe species (Giraffa reticulata) in northern Kenya. Data from in-person structured interviews with community conservancy members in two areas (n = 584) indicated that these concepts differed by study area, but overall, respondents felt positively toward this species of giraffe, valued giraffes as very important, and believed that giraffe populations should increase. Perceived benefits were positively related to both attitudes toward and existence beliefs about giraffes, although results provide less evidence of positive associations between cognitions about giraffes and normative beliefs. These findings support that conservation messaging should be tailored to localized contexts, providing implications for integration of human dimensions information into giraffe conservation efforts.

摘要

长颈鹿种群数量持续下降，在长颈鹿保护的人文方面的工作有限。本文评估了肯尼亚北部网纹长颈鹿 ( Giraffa reticulata ) 特有的人类维度概念（规范信念、态度、存在信念、感知）之间的关系。来自两个领域的社区保护成员的面对面结构化访谈的数据（n= 584) 表示这些概念因研究区域而异，但总体而言，受访者对这种长颈鹿持积极态度，认为长颈鹿非常重要，并认为长颈鹿的数量应该增加。感知利益与对长颈鹿的态度和存在信念呈正相关，尽管结果提供的证据较少表明对长颈鹿的认知与规范信念之间存在积极关联。这些发现支持保护信息应针对当地情况进行调整，从而为将人类维度信息整合到长颈鹿保护工作中提供启示。