“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..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
“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..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.