Mascot conservation programs: using college animal mascots to supportspecies conservation efforts

摘要

Among the species of conservation concern are several popular collegiate mascots (i.e., eagles, tigers). However, few colleges and universities have contributed to conservation efforts aimed at the animal species represented by their mascots. This lack of involvement is unfortunate because universities have many resources that could be used to support conservation. The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) has created the Mizzou Tigers for Tigers conservation program in an attempt to aid conservation efforts aimed at MU's mascot, the Bengal tiger. Mizzou Tigers for Tigers has three objectives: 1) raising public awareness about wild tigers and their conservation, 2) funding capacity-building projects in tiger-range countries (i.e., purchasing equipment and training park guards), and 3) developing research and educational partnerships between MU and organizations in tiger-range countries. We believe that this comprehensive program could serve as a model program for universities throughout the country that have species of conservation concern as their mascots.