Original contribution HUMAN PERCEPTIONS REGARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF SAONA ISLAND, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Globally, human populations have caused increased demands on natural resources and the endangerment of numerous species, particularly on oceanic islands with limited resources. In such cases, attitudes and perceptions of resident human populations regarding natural resources are often the deciding factor in the success or failure of local species conservation efforts. As part of a proposed Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis) conservation program on Saona island, Dominican Republic, local residents were surveyed to determine their knowledge of basic parrot biology as well as their opinions and attitudes regarding the importance of various aspects of parrot conservation. Comparative survey data were also collected on residents’ opinions and attitudes regarding an ongoing Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) conservation program on Saona. The study found that residents differed by gender in their knowledge of parrot biology, and also differed by gender in their opinions on the consumptive use of both parrots and sea turtles. Residents also differed in the underlying basis for their opinions and perceptions of each species, with most opinions based on biological factors in the case of sea turtles, as opposed to personal or philosophical reasons in the case of parrots. The sea turtle conservation program apparently has influenced local perceptions toward sea turtles on Saona. Future parrot conservation efforts on Saona should incorporate components of the ongoing sea turtle program, particularly those related to environmental education and direct involvement of local residents in conservation activities.