“Negative perceptions” threaten a drab seabird that remains unloved compared to Newfoundland and Labrador’s famed puffin, according to a federal study..According to Blacklock's Reporter, the Department of Environment paid researchers $39,105 to survey Newfoundlanders’ emotional reaction to the “dirty,” “stinky” Leach’s Storm-Petrel compared to the popular puffin..“To understand how widespread these negative perceptions are and to understand the factors contributing to potential negative perceptions a ‘human-dimensions-of-wildlife’ approach was adopted using questionnaires,” said a department report..The storm-petrel population has declined 54% since 1976, by official estimate. In 2020 they were listed as “threatened” under the Species At Risk Act..“Anecdotal evidence suggests storm-petrels, a small, black, bat-like seabird which has a strong musty odour, are perceived by some Newfoundlanders as ‘dirty’ or ‘lousy’ birds which may pose a direct threat to stranded petrels, e.g., people not helping stranded birds,” wrote researchers..The study compared the unloved storm-petrel to the celebrated puffin. Newfoundlanders rated the puffin as “pretty,” “beautiful,” “colourful” and “fun.” Storm-petrels were called “smelly,” “diseased” and “foolish.”.“Storm-petrels may be disadvantaged, as storm-petrels are not considered as important for tourism as puffins and generally are perceived less positively than puffins,” said the report..“This is not surprising as puffins are the provincial bird of Newfoundland and Labrador, figure on many souvenirs and are frequently depicted in local arts and crafts which is not the case for storm-petrels.”.The Newfoundland and Labrador legislature designated the puffin as the provincial bird in 1992. “Respondents indicated they think of puffins in their community as good, beneficial, and positive,” said Public Opinion. “Respondents held slightly less positive attitudes toward storm-petrels.”.Researchers concluded while Newfoundlanders accept “storm-petrels have a right to exist,” the species faced public disapproval. “Emotions are physiological, cognitive, and behavioural reactions to experiences and play a role in the intensity and direction of how an individual perceives wildlife,” they wrote..“Seeing puffins in the community left respondents with positive emotions,” wrote researchers. “Overall respondents indicated seeing puffins made them feel happy, compassionate, excited, pleased and in awe. These emotions were not as pronounced for storm-petrels.”.Findings were based on questionnaires with townspeople living near Conception Bay. “Respondents were unaware Newfoundland and Labrador is the largest nesting site of Leach’s Storm-Petrels in the world,” said the report.
“Negative perceptions” threaten a drab seabird that remains unloved compared to Newfoundland and Labrador’s famed puffin, according to a federal study..According to Blacklock's Reporter, the Department of Environment paid researchers $39,105 to survey Newfoundlanders’ emotional reaction to the “dirty,” “stinky” Leach’s Storm-Petrel compared to the popular puffin..“To understand how widespread these negative perceptions are and to understand the factors contributing to potential negative perceptions a ‘human-dimensions-of-wildlife’ approach was adopted using questionnaires,” said a department report..The storm-petrel population has declined 54% since 1976, by official estimate. In 2020 they were listed as “threatened” under the Species At Risk Act..“Anecdotal evidence suggests storm-petrels, a small, black, bat-like seabird which has a strong musty odour, are perceived by some Newfoundlanders as ‘dirty’ or ‘lousy’ birds which may pose a direct threat to stranded petrels, e.g., people not helping stranded birds,” wrote researchers..The study compared the unloved storm-petrel to the celebrated puffin. Newfoundlanders rated the puffin as “pretty,” “beautiful,” “colourful” and “fun.” Storm-petrels were called “smelly,” “diseased” and “foolish.”.“Storm-petrels may be disadvantaged, as storm-petrels are not considered as important for tourism as puffins and generally are perceived less positively than puffins,” said the report..“This is not surprising as puffins are the provincial bird of Newfoundland and Labrador, figure on many souvenirs and are frequently depicted in local arts and crafts which is not the case for storm-petrels.”.The Newfoundland and Labrador legislature designated the puffin as the provincial bird in 1992. “Respondents indicated they think of puffins in their community as good, beneficial, and positive,” said Public Opinion. “Respondents held slightly less positive attitudes toward storm-petrels.”.Researchers concluded while Newfoundlanders accept “storm-petrels have a right to exist,” the species faced public disapproval. “Emotions are physiological, cognitive, and behavioural reactions to experiences and play a role in the intensity and direction of how an individual perceives wildlife,” they wrote..“Seeing puffins in the community left respondents with positive emotions,” wrote researchers. “Overall respondents indicated seeing puffins made them feel happy, compassionate, excited, pleased and in awe. These emotions were not as pronounced for storm-petrels.”.Findings were based on questionnaires with townspeople living near Conception Bay. “Respondents were unaware Newfoundland and Labrador is the largest nesting site of Leach’s Storm-Petrels in the world,” said the report.
