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  • Animal Images, Empathy, and Conservation
  • Timeline
    • Phase 1
    • Phase 2
    • Phase 3
  • Partners
    • Tim Flach
    • ACE for Wildlife Network
    • Animals & Society Institute
    • WWU Ecological & Social Change Research Team
  • Zoo and Aquarium Partnerships
    • Butterfly Pavilion
    • Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
    • Henry Vilas Zoo
    • Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
    • Lake Superior Zoo
    • Milwaukee County Zoo
    • Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
    • Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
    • Seattle Aquarium
    • Woodland Park Zoo
  • Publications
    • Project Publications
    • Publications about Project
  • Announcements
  • Forms
  • PI Bio
    • Cameron T. Whitley – Ph.D

Phase 3

This phase involves conducting a nationally representative survey (n=1,200) to assess the degree to which members of the public feel included in conservation efforts. This information is used to inform focus groups to assess how strategic anthropomorphic animal imagery (SAAIs) might be used to promote greater access and inclusion in conservation. Desired outcomes of this project are to generate scientific data to inform conservation work, to identify depictions and frames of animals that activate empathy, and to broaden perceptions of inclusion within conservation organizations. The project aims to address biodiversity loss, which has implications for national security, food security, disease control, and climate change mitigation.