Investigating the impact of media on demand for wildlife: A case study of Harry Potter and the UK trade in owls.

ABSTRACT: In recent decades, a substantial number of popular press articles have described an increase in demand for certain species in the pet trade due to films such as "Finding Nemo", "Ninja turtles", and "Harry Potter". Nevertheless, such assertions are largely supported only by anecdotal evidence. Given the role of the wildlife trade in the spread of pathogens and zoonosis, the introduction of invasive species, the overexploitation of biodiversity, and the neglect of animal welfare, it is crucial to understand what factors drive demand for a species. Here, we investigate the effect the movie industry may have on wildlife trade by examining the relationship between the "Harry Potter" cultural phenomenon and the trade in owls within the United Kingdom (UK). We gathered data from the UK box office

SUBMITTER: Megias DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5627891 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature