From Grassroots to Global: An Exploration of New Paradigms and Practices in Visitor Behaviors and Wildlife Conservation

Dear Colleagues, 

Wildlife conservation is a socially based pursuit. We decide which species merit our attention, as well as what, when, and how conservation actions should be applied. However, there is a growing disconnect between people and wildlife as development increases, which can increase human–wildlife conflicts, decrease human–wildlife encounters, and reduce the connection people feel towards wildlife. However, the desire to encounter wildlife has not diminished, as attested to by the increasing visitation rates at parks and protected areas, as well as zoos and aquariums (PPAZA). Wildlife conservation has benefitted from this in that wild and captive venues often work together for both in situ and ex situ conservation initiatives.

One key factor in such conservation initiatives is visitor behavior. Historically, visitors to PPAZA have simply been expected to minimize negative impacts to wildlife. Modern-day visitors are not only expected to minimize impacts, but also actively contribute to wildlife conservation. Such contributions can include financial donations, volunteering, and activism. However, there is increasing evidence in the literature that the support for such behaviors is decreasing. Furthermore, traditional ways of connecting with visitors are losing traction as communication is being pushed to mobile technology.

Currently, work is emerging that reconceptualizes how PPAZA agencies connect with visitors to encourage greater participation in wildlife conservation behaviors. For example, visitors’ emotions are being explored to understand their role in behavior performance. Other research has investigated how advances in interpretation improve behavior adoption. Additionally, the role of technology in wildlife encounters, exhibit design, and visitor communication has revealed new avenues for visitors to adopt wildlife conservation behaviors. PPAZA agencies have also begun exploring how mobile technology can facilitate visitors performing behaviors off-site.

Visitor behaviors are a core component of wildlife conservation. As such, a robust discussion of understanding how to improve visitor participation in wildlife conservation behaviors has the potential to make meaningful and lasting contributions to the sustainability of wildlife. This call seeks original and relevant conceptual and empirical papers that expand the boundaries and illuminate new directions for pro-wildlife visitor behaviors.

Dr. Jeffrey Skibins
Guest Editor

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• behavior models
• branding
• connection to wildlife
• conservation psychology
• ecotourism
• flagship species
• interpretation
• marketing
• nature-based tourism
• technology
• wild and captive
• wildlife tourism