Polar Bears across the arctic face shorter seasons of sea ice. Picture credit: NASA - CC BY 2.0
A lone polar bear, gradually drifting out to sea on a tiny block of ice, anxiously pawing the ground and roaring for its young. That’s the image many will conjure when they think of global warming, and the reason many will decide to walk to work rather than drive.
The polar bear, along with the Jaguar and the Orca, is one of the world’s most famous flagship species. These are animals chosen for their charisma or beauty and used to highlight conservation issues. The idea is that if people will drive less so they can save the cute and cuddly polar bear, then that will have an umbrella effect on the rest of the wildlife in the artic.
But, according to research by University of Miami professor Neil Hammerschlag, these aren’t the most effective choices for flagship species.
“The problem is that people who actually live amongst jaguars and polar bears often see them as a threat to their food or personal safety. For a flagship species to be successful it needs to be liked by the people who live in the areas that they inhabit because those are the ones who are responsible for protecting them.”
This is why Neil believes national animals are perfect candidates for flagship species. There are 224 in total, coming from 142 countries. Whilst some, like the English Lion or the Scottish Unicorn aren’t native or even real, most are a key feature of their countries wildlife.
“In most countries,” he says, “the national animal features on money, passports and on their coat of armour when they go to war – it holds huge historical, cultural and spiritual significance.”
“the national animal features on money, passports and on their coat of armour when they go to war – it holds huge historical, cultural and spiritual significance”
This means that the people who live around these animals are far more able to take active roles in their conservation.
To read about the successful conservation efforts of the USA’s national animal – the Bald Eagle – pick up Fauna Issue One.
Tom Bennett