Conserving and managing animals that learn socially and share cultures |
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| Authors: | Hal Whitehead |
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| Institution: | (1) Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;(2) Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Vorobiovy gory, 1/12, Moscow, 119992, Russia;(3) National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA;(4) Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum, University of Copenhagen, ?ster Volgade 5–7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Socially learned behavior can be a crucial factor in how animals interact with their environment and, thus, in conservation
and management. For species in which social learning and culture are important determinants of behavior, several factors complicate
conservation and management. These include the rapid spread of novel behavior through social learning, the inhibition of adaptive
behavior because of cultural conformism, the evolution of maladaptive behavior, and the development of culturally isolated
but sometimes sympatric groups. These factors can affect habitat suitability, movements, how animals react to anthropogenic
effects, and genetic structures. Social learning and culture may be important factors in translocation success, and should
sometimes be considered when delineating population units for conservation and management. We should aim to protect cultural
as well as genetic diversity. Unfortunately, clear data on social learning and culture in the wild are scarce. Hence, the
ideas and methods outlined in this special issue have great potential. |
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