Large animal species with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal
An African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), is an example of charismatic megafauna.
Charismatic megafauna are animal species that are large—in the relevant category that they represent[1]—with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal, and are often used by environmental activists to gain public support for environmentalist goals.[2] In this definition, animals such as penguins or bald eagles can be considered megafauna because they are among the largest animals within the local animal community, and they disproportionately affect their environment. The vast majority of charismatic megafauna species are threatened and endangered by overhunting, poaching, black market trade, climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species, and many more causes.[3] In a 2018 study, the top twenty most popular charismatic megafauna were found to be (first to last): the tiger, lion, elephant, giraffe, leopard, giant panda, cheetah, polar bear, wolf, gorilla, chimpanzee, zebra, hippopotamus, great white shark, crocodile, dolphin, rhinoceros, brown bear, koala and blue whale.[4]
^Berti, Emilio; Monsarrat, Sophie; Munk, Michael; Jarvie, Scott; Svenning, Jens-Christian (2020-11-01). "Body size is a good proxy for vertebrate charisma". Biological Conservation. 251: 108790. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108790. ISSN 0006-3207. S2CID 224972270.
^Ducarme, Frédéric; Luque, Gloria M.; Courchamp, Franck (2013). "What are "charismatic species" for conservation biologists ?" (PDF). BioSciences Master Reviews. 10: 1–8. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
^Courchamp, F.; Jaric, I.; Albert, C.; Meinard, Y.; Ripple, W. J.; Chapron, G. (2018). "The paradoxical extinction of the most charismatic animals". PLOS Biology. 16 (4): e2003997. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2003997. PMC 5896884. PMID 29649205.
^Albert, C; Luque, G. M.; Courchamp, F (2018). "The twenty most charismatic species". PLOS ONE. 13 (7): e0199149. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1399149A. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199149. PMC 6037359. PMID 29985962.
and 29 Related for: Charismatic megafauna information
Charismaticmegafauna are animal species that are large—in the relevant category that they represent—with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal...
In zoology, megafauna (from Greek μέγας megas "large" and Neo-Latin fauna "animal life") are large animals. The precise definition of the term varies...
populations. The tiger is among the most popular of the world's charismaticmegafauna. It has been kept in captivity since ancient times and has been...
Malcolm; MacDiarmid, Alison (2019-12-31). "From sea monsters to charismaticmegafauna: Changes in perception and use of large marine animals". PLOS ONE...
viewing tourists and safari tour operators. They are examples of charismaticmegafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most...
wild cats alive today. It is considered to belong to the world's charismaticmegafauna. The tiger is estimated to have been present in the Indian subcontinent...
significance in many different cultures. They are considered one of the charismaticmegafauna, and are used as the face of conservation campaigns worldwide. In...
creation myths regarding the origin of the Earth. Sea turtles are a charismaticmegafauna and are used as symbols of the marine environment and environmentalism...
best distribution indicators". Keystone species Indicator species Charismaticmegafauna Umbrella species Elephant includes African savannah, African forest...
animal-rights discussions most often address the status of mammals (compare charismaticmegafauna). Other animals (considered less sentient) have gained less attention—insects...
and in many advertisements, notably for Coca-Cola since 1922. As charismaticmegafauna, polar bears have been used to raise awareness of the dangers of...
cats as pets. Many other species are popular, and they are often charismaticmegafauna. Many civilizations have incorporated a species of carnivoran into...
make use of the high biodiversity within the Kuroshio Current. Charismaticmegafauna odontocetes in this region include the Spinner dolphin (Stenella...
langur, musk deer, and Asian elephant. The maintenance of these charismaticmegafauna and other threatened species can be attributed to the intensity...
wildlife safaris outside of Africa, due to the actual presence of five charismaticmegafauna (The Big Five) and the relative ease of seeing them during a single...
comfortably live in the climate of Finland: this means that many charismaticmegafauna are absent. Korkeasaari Zoo has two tropical buildings, Amazonia...
well. Tourist travel across the world for whale watching, to see charismaticmegafauna such as humpback whales in Hawaii, Minke whales in Alaska, grey...
and garner more attention from the public. While a lot of these charismaticmegafauna do draw more attention than other species, we can still use captive...
habitat itself could support larger populations. Of course, most charismaticmegafauna had already been wiped out by the British in the 19th century. Unsurprising...
Species Act (Island Press, 1997). Petersen, Shannon. "Congress and charismaticmegafauna: A legislative history of the endangered species act" Environmental...
2009. Swan, James (March 19, 2009). "Return of the Detroit River's CharismaticMegafauna". Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved June...
characteristics. In part it is based on the belief that conservation of charismaticmegafauna like pandas attract disproportionate amounts of funding that could...
impact when a train collides with them. They are also considered charismaticmegafauna and keystone species in conservation efforts. More research is needed...
Global Information