Wildlife

This report covering bird populations in the United States shows that nearly a third of the country's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened, or in significant decline due to habitat loss, invasive species, or other threats. This report documents a 40% decline in grassland birds over the past 40 years and a 30% decline in birds of arid lands. There has been a 39% of ocean-dependent species as well.

This report summarizes results from Wave 2 of the Animal Tracker annual survey of U.S. adults regarding attitudes and behavior toward animals. The first survey (Wave 1, 2008) included sixteen questions; the Wave 2 survey repeated six questions from Wave 1. In summary, the most recent survey continues to show strong support for the protection of all animals, although in some instances that support decreased slightly compared with the Wave 1 results.

Based on an analysis of commodity-trading data from the United Nations, the current international trade in frog meat represents an estimated 200 million to 1 billion frogs consumed each year, or 11,000 tons of frog meat.

Research by Salford University shows that most elephants in zoos are kept in small groups, which may cause them to display abnormal behavior. As of 2006, at least two-thirds of the world's zoos keep elephants in groups of four or fewer.

Iowa voters oppose the hunting of mourning doves by a margin of two to one; 53% oppose it and 27% support it. Voter attitudes toward dove hunting is also a factor in determining support of a legislative candidate.

As the subject of ongoing controversy in Oregon, this study explored public opinion about cougar management. The majority or respondents believed that major decisions about cougar management should be made by experts and citizens together.

As public participation in environmental decisions has increased, natural resource management agencies have been challenged to involve stakeholders constructively in the resolution of a variety of contentious issues... Results suggest that quality stakeholder involvement processes use scientific information, have genuine influence on decisions, treat citizens fairly, and promote informative communication and learning. [Summary excerpted from website]

This survey describes attitudes held by suburban residents near Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Most respondents support mountain lion conservation and the study authors recommend that educational opportunities be created for the local public to inform residents about mountain lion research and management.

This study examined Slovakian undergraduate students' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and belief in myths about bats, finding that those more aware of the biology of bats had more positive attitudes about them than those without this knowledge.

A survey of U.S. adults conducted by Responsive Management found that a strong majority support hunting. The results indicate that more than three out of four U.S. adults (78%) approve of legal hunting.