\nAccording to a study in the U.K., adults are more likely to donate money to causes represented by photos of charismatic species than non-charismatic species. This bias appeal results in the majority of research and conservation funding being dedicated to a small group of about 80 well-known, charismatic species. These species have what Dr. Hugh Possingham of the National Environmental Research Program (NERP) refers to as \u201cdonor appeal\u201d. The remaining, non-charismatic species, tend to fall by the wayside, receive less funding and research interest. As a result, they tend to go extinct at higher rates. As Dr. Possingham says, \u201c\u2026if you\u2019re an obscure animal or plant in a remote place, you have next to no hope of getting conservation resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Clubshell](\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MusselClubshell.jpg\")
<\/a>Clubshell mussel.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Results showing that the public are not excited to conserve non-charismatic wildlife is not surprising to Belyna Bentlage<\/a>, a Purdue University outreach specialist, who specializes in research and outreach related to mussels. \u201cPeople like to protect species that they feel they can relate to, that they can imagine owning as pets, like bear cubs or playful monkeys. It\u2019s difficult to feel a connection to a hellbender or mussel. These animals don’t move as much, aren’t very interactive, and are not very cute. People just can\u2019t relate to them in the same way as more charismatic species,\u201d says Bentlage.<\/p>\n The lack of relate-ability of non-charismatics can spell disaster for many species. Belyna says, \u201cWhen people don’t feel connected to a species, they won\u2019t give money to fund research or protect the species. Lawmakers aren’t interested because the public isn’t interested, so it\u2019s left up to researchers. So little is known about the ecological role of many of these species, that it\u2019s difficult for researchers to justify why they should be studied. With the competitive funding climate in research, less charismatic species loose out.\u201d<\/p>\n With a tight funding climate, uninterested lawmakers, and a fickle, how can we protect these threatened non-charismatic species?<\/strong> Snuffbox mussel.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n The project Belyna works on, with Purdue FNR Professor Linda Prokopy and Associate Professor Rod Williams gives super-hero personalities to non-charismatic mussels. Each mussel species has a special power that reflects something about its innate characteristics, like the snuffbox and clubshell mussel images shared in this blog.<\/p>\n \u201cMaking these animals more relatable and fun allows both children and adults to better understand their importance. People consciously pick their favorites, compare the drawings, and then get excited when they see these species in the wild. It creates a public that is really interested in protecting the species,\u201d Bentlage explained.<\/p>\n Erin Kenison<\/a>, a PhD student at Purdue University, has helped use similar tactics to promote conservation of hellbenders. The\u00a0poorly named species is actually a giant salamander that used to inhabit all Indiana rivers, but is now restricted to the Blue River giant salamander that used to inhabit all Indiana rivers, but is now restricted to the Blue River.<\/p>\n The large, green, slimy creature is aptly nicknamed \u201cold lasagna sides\u201d because of its flappy skin that bunches at its sides. The Help the Hellbender<\/a> project uses costumes, cartoons, coloring pages and games to generate public attention for the species.<\/p>\n \u201cHistorically, its been believed that hellbenders had evil powers and could even cause the death of babies,\u201d says Kenison. \u201cMaking the hellbender more relatable dismantles a lot of these beliefs, making it more likely that river-users won\u2019t try to harm them.\u201d<\/p>\n Are we willing to learn more about the non-charismatic species and help with conservation efforts?<\/em><\/strong> Non- charismatic wildlife, as slimy or spiny or unattractive as they may be, are an important part of the natural ecosystem. Next time you see a mussel, hellbender, or similar creature, take a photo, but leave it be. These species need your help and support to survive, even if their beauty is mainly on the inside.<\/p>\n If you would like to find out how you can help or learn more about these endangered species, see the resources listed below:<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>One solution might just be in making non-charismatic species charismatic. Outreach coordinators like Belyna Bentlage are working cooperatively with biologists to change the way humans perceive of slimy, spiny, gross or otherwise unattractive species.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>
\nWhile there are many challenges for the conservation of non-charismatic species, Belyna Bentlage also says that the public\u2019s lack of familiarity with these species may be a strength. \u201cWhen people don’t know much, they are often willing to learn and adapt their actions. They are not as set in their ways, so it\u2019s more likely that we can introduce new behaviors to protect a species. Overall, people generally want to help threatened species, not hurt them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHelp the Hellbender
\n<\/a>DNR: Nature Preserves: Endangered Threatened & Rare Species<\/a>, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)<\/p>\n