What goes up must come down: an evaluation of a zoo conservation-education program for balloon litter on visitor understanding,attitudes, and behaviour |
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Authors: | Sarah Mellish Elissa L Pearson Emily M McLeod Michelle R Tuckey Jillian C Ryan |
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Institution: | 1. Conservation Psychology and Applied Animal Behaviour Research Group, School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia;2. Sarah.Mellish@mymail.unisa.edu.au;4. Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Australia;5. Asia Pacific Centre for Work Health and Safety, School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia;6. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, North Terrace Campus, Kintore Avenue, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia |
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Abstract: | AbstractBalloons used outdoors can fly away, posing ingestion and entanglement hazards to wildlife. “When Balloons Fly” (WBF) conservation-education program seeks to educate zoo visitors about these threats and encourage the use of wildlife-friendly bubbles at outdoor events. We examined the effect of WBF on visitor knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (intentions and actions) over 6?months (N?=?624). We compared outcomes among visitors who viewed a presentation and exhibit, to viewing the exhibit-only, and investigated the priming influence of completing a survey before entering the exhibit (pre-survey). Visitors had greater depth of understanding about the impact of balloons immediately following the visit, but post-visit message recall was low. General Linear Models revealed that over 6?months WBF significantly (p < .05) influenced positive attitudes concerning balloon use, increased likelihood to use bubbles, and reduced likelihood to use balloons. Completion of a pre-survey significantly influenced positive attitudes and reduced likelihood to use balloons. WBF is promoting conservation behaviour, with two-thirds of the follow-up sample reporting that behaviours they changed while hosting or attending an outdoor event since their visit were influenced by the zoo experience. Future work can investigate materials that might mimic a priming effect (e.g., worksheets). |
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Keywords: | Marine debris marine wildlife entanglement biodiversity conservation psychology |
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