Using nonhuman culture in conservation requires careful and concerted action

• Published in: Conservation letters Vol. 15; no. 2
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Susana, Wessling, Erin G., Abwe, Ekwoge E., Almeida‐Warren, Katarina, Arandjelovic, Mimi, Boesch, Christophe, Danquah, Emmanuel, Diallo, Mamadou Saliou, Hobaiter, Catherine, Hockings, Kimberley, Humle, Tatyana, Ikemeh, Rachel Ashegbofe, Kalan, Ammie K., Luncz, Lydia, Ohashi, Gaku, Pascual‐Garrido, Alejandra, Piel, Alex, Samuni, Liran, Soiret, Serge, Sanz, Crickette, Koops, Kathelijne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.03.2022; Wiley
• Subjects: Adaptive Management; animal culture; animals; Behavior; Biodiversity; Conservation; conservation policy; Cultural heritage; Culture; Endangered species; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Open Standards; Population; Protected species; Public interest; target definition; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 1755-263X; 1755-263X
• DOI: 10.1111/conl.12860

Discussions of how animal culture can aid the conservation crisis are burgeoning. As scientists and conservationists working to protect endangered species, we call for reflection on how the culture concept may be applied in practice. Here, we discuss both the potential benefits and potential shortcomings of applying the animal culture concept, and propose a set of achievable milestones that will help guide and ensure its effective integration existing conservation frameworks, such as Adaptive Management cycles or Open Standards.