engleski

The effect of dolphin observation programmes in the Cres-Lošinj archipelago on encouraging pro- environmental behavior

The dolphin observation programmes in the Cres- Lošinj archipelago are conducted in order to contribute to the conservation of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu 1821) in the Adriatic Sea. The aim of the programmes is to raise environmental awareness of the participants through environmental interpretation and encourage them to adopt pro-environmental behaviors that support dolphin conservation. The main methodology was the questionnaire survey, conducted on the participants from two programmes that differed in duration and level of engagement. In the first programme, the participants were dolphin ‘watchers’ for three hours, and in the second one they were ‘doers’, actively engaged in dolphin research for ten days. Through questionnaires, we explored the motivations of both groups and the effect of the programmes on their pro-environmental attitudes and behavior. We expected doers to experience a greater change in pro-environmental attitudes and behavior, as they were more engaged in the programme than watchers. The results of 206 watchers’ and 71 doers’ questionnaires showed that doers were more motivated to contribute to dolphin conservation than watchers. A positive effect on pro-environmental attitudes and behavior was found in both groups and, contrary to the expected, it was not significantly different between watchers and doers.

Tursiops truncatus ; questionnaires ; watchers ; doers ; environmental interpretation ; environmental conservation

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