Understanding public perceptions and motivations around bear part use: A study in northern Laos of attitudes of Chinese tourists and Lao PDR nationals

Davis, Elizabeth; O'Connor, D.A.; Crudge, Brian; Carignan, Annemarie; Glikman, Jenny Anne; Browne-Nuñez, Christine; Hunt, Matt

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2016.09.009

Cited by 64 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Laos is one of the world's premier wildlife trade hotspots (e.g., [1,11,13,14,24,32,37]), with the narrative around Laos in the past decade that of a "source" site exploited by Chinese consumers [14,24] and Vietnamese consumers [6,41]. Although it is undeniable that this outside demand is a significant concern, research into the patterns of consumption by Laos nationals themselves have largely been neglected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Assessment of Wildlife Use by Northern Laos Nationals

Davis

Glikman

2020

Animals

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Simple Summary: Although unsustainable wildlife consumption is a leading threat to biodiversity in Southeast Asia, there is still a notable lack of research around the issue, particularly into which animals may be "on the horizon" of impending conservation concern. Using semistructured interviews, we investigated the consumption of wildlife in northern Laos, with a focus on the use of wildlife for medicinal purposes. Bear bile was the most popular product, but serow bile was second in popularity and used for similar ailments. In light of these results, and considering the vulnerability of both bear and serow populations in the wild, greater concern needs to be taken to reduce demand for these products, before this demand becomes a significant conservation challenge.Abstract: Unsustainable wildlife trade is a well-publicized area of international concern in Laos. Historically rich in both ethnic and biological diversity, Laos has emerged in recent years as a nexus for cross-border trade in floral and faunal wildlife, including endangered and threatened species. However, there has been little sustained research into the scale and scope of consumption of wildlife by Laos nationals themselves. Here, we conducted 100 semistructured interviews to gain a snapshot of consumption of wildlife in northern Laos, where international and in some cases illegal wildlife trade is known to occur. We found that although bear bile for medicine was the most common product consumed, individuals also used a variety of other products, including animals considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN. The majority of animals we found consumed are classified as "Vulnerable" or "Least Threatened" by the IUCN; however, sufficient demand for a species can cause increased, rapid decline in the species' population and significantly increase the challenge of conserving them. These results therefore illuminate where conservation priorities should shift towards, so that stable-yet-consumed species do not mirror the fate of highly trafficked animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Assessment of Wildlife Use by Northern Laos Nationals

Davis

Glikman

2020

Animals

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“…The traditional Chinese view is that wildlife is a resource to be exploited and should not necessarily be protected because of its intrinsic value [13]. Previous research has been conducted to understand Chinese consumer's attitudes and perceptions around use of wildlife parts in traditional medicine products [24] [25] [26]. As far as we are aware there are no published studies specifically looking at beliefs and attitudes centered on the consumption of ejiao.…”

Section: Limitations and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

Carder¹,

Ingasia²,

Ngenoh³

et al. 2019

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Donkey hides are used in a form of Traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao, the demand for ejiao is currently so high the global donkey population is currently in decline. Africa's donkey population is considered a key source for the trade, with Kenya being highlighted as being particularly affected. In Kenya donkeys play a vital contribution to people's livelihoods; this study aimed to explore the potential impact of the donkey hide trade on small holder farmer's livelihoods. The study was conducted in five counties in Kenya; data was collected using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. When household survey participants (n = 421) were asked if the number of donkeys in their herd had decreased within the last two years 34.2% (n = 144) reported a decrease, of those 43.8% (n = 63) reported the selling of donkeys as the primary cause of reduction in herd size. Increased money spent on the transportation of farm produce, water and firewood was the most frequently reported effect of the loss of donkeys (62.5%, n = 263). Some focus group discussion participants said that they had previously sold their donkeys to raise money for school fees, likewise 43% (n = 97) of focus group discussion participants said that they would sell their donkeys to pay medical bills. Results from the study suggest that small holder farmers are choosing to sell their donkeys for an instant boost in income, but long-term this is unlikely to be a sustainable livelihood option.

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“…Without gaining a deep sense of empathy and understanding of the target audiences' needs, organizations' goals can regress rather than move forward. However, a behavior change approach that fits the daily routines and implicit needs from the target audiences perspectives (inductively illuminated through in-depth observations and interviews) is much more likely to lead to a successful behavior change solution or campaign strategy (Davis et al 2016). The HCD process encourages one to fail early and to keep the human aspect of problem-solving in the forefront.…”

Section: Design Results Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, demographic hierarchy structure needs to be considered when designing effective behavior change campaigns in Vietnam. For example, male status's association with "strong" wild meat and medicinal animal product use (Drury 2011, Davis et al 2016) poses a challenge in shifting male perceptions and behaviors regarding bear bile, whereas women were much more open to trying an assortment of health approaches. Men who had shifted their behavior away from bear bile did so based on key influencers' personal experiences relayed to them.…”

Section: Survey and Interview Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding public perceptions and motivations around bear part use: A study in northern Laos of attitudes of Chinese tourists and Lao PDR nationals

Cited by 64 publications

References 30 publications

An Assessment of Wildlife Use by Northern Laos Nationals

An Assessment of Wildlife Use by Northern Laos Nationals

The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

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