Wild and valuable? Tourist values for orang-utan conservation in Sarawak.

摘要: Fluffy, orange and endearing, orang-utans have won the hearts of people all over world. However, sub-species are endangered in wild with Bornean orang-utan population having declined by more than 50% past 60 years. Fewer 2,000 remain Sarawak nearly truly ones confined to a remote site on Indonesian border. Yet each year thousands tourists local see semi-wild reserve or captive rehabilitation centre. We investigated attitudes such towards conservation remaining populations means questionnaires, including choice experiment. Sixty percent respondents were, principle, willing pay ensure survival population. International tended regard as being important high probability seeing personally-indeed they preferred be hard find. Malaysian were inclined favour investment small number animals. Using conservative judgements difference between stated real willingness-to-pay, we estimated that about USD 6.6 million per could made available from voluntary contributions visitors also 40% these facilities who come primarily because apes, bring 13 23 into economy through their expenditure businesses, 0.6% income earned timber products. Our results suggest far fewer would if there no Sarawak. Thus value can delivered but economic benefits require both orang-utans.