Some of the world’s most iconic animals are in serious danger but we may not realize it, according to a new study.
The research, published in PLOS Biology, suggests that there is a false belief that the “most charismatic” animals around the world are not endangered or at risk of extinction. But almost all of them are.
Using online surveys, school questionnaires, zoo websites and films, the researchers determined the ten most “charismatic” animals to be tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, pandas, cheetahs, polar bears, the gray wolf and gorillas.
The study’s lead author, Franck Courchamp, determined that these animals pop up so often throughout our culture including advertising, toys and zoos, that it creates a “virtual population.” So when people think of these animals, they think they’re doing better than they actually are.
But with the exception of the gray wolf, all of them are highly threatened in the wild.
They noted that nearly 49 percent of all non-teddy bear plush animals sold on Amazon in the U.S. were one of the ten most “charismatic” animals.
“Unless a radical change is operated, it is highly likely that most of these most-cherished species will go extinct in the wild within the next few decades,” the study’s authors explained.
Other studies suggest that if the public knew what these animals were facing, they’d likely urge action.
A recent study by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums found that 87 percent of Americans are willing to take action to save animals from extinction. But Americans are split on what’s the most effective way to help, although 39 percent believe donating to a wildlife conservation group is best.
So what can be done?
One suggestion from the researchers is to require companies that use the endangered animals for their branding to make investments into conservation efforts.
While that strategy would raise public awareness, it would certainly be difficult to put it into place.