Research On Chinese Public Awareness Of Wildlife Utilization And Conservation

Wildlife conservation contributes not only to the implementation of China's harmonious development of human and nature, and building of ecological civilization, but also to the maintenance of ecological balance, sustainable socio-economic development and efficient use of bioresources. It is very important to promote wildlife conservation and sustainable development through the education of public science popularization. Based on the above background, we conducted the survey research on the public's wildlife consumption and conservation awareness.This research adopted the methodology of both typical survey and sample survey. In order to get the first-hand information, the wildlife consumption and conservation awareness of residents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were investigated in questionnaires by random sampling; the wildlife traders were interviewed by phone; and the wildlife management officials and experts were also interviewed deeply by face-to-face interviews. The results showed that the several-year wildlife conservation advocacy had resulted in significant improvement of the public's wildlife conservation awareness and law awareness. 71.7 % of the public didn't consume wild animals in the past year; and almost 60 % thought that wildlife was an important part of ecosystem. Nevertheless, due to the impact of of the traditional "nutritious" diet concept, there still existed the consumption of wild animals, especially in some cities of South China. According to the above findings, recommendations on further enhancing the public's awareness on wildlife conservation and advocating the policy of green consumption were provided: 1) to conduct the long-term targeted, multi-level and multi-channel education advocacies of public science popularization, which will be focused on strengthening minors' ecological and moral education; 2) to further strengthen the management of wildlife resources and multi-departmental joint enforcement against wildlife crimes; 3) to further regulate wildlife breeding industry and implement wildlife labeling work.