The wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest member of the canid family and the second largest predator in Slovenia. The Slovene wolf population is one of the few native populations that have remained in Europe. In the past, their abundance has decreased severely due to massive killing and mistreatment. Today the wolf is protected under several national and international regulations, conventions, and directives.
In this paper we tried to determine the level of knowledge of secondary technical school students on wolves and to define the significance of knowledge in this field. We also attempted to discover any differences in levels of knowledge between female and male students, between students of the second and third year, and between students with different grades in Biology courses. We have determined that while there are statistically significant differences in the levels of knowledge on wolf biology for each category respectively, they are not noticeable. We have also determined that both female and male students show a decent level of knowledge when given questions of a general nature. Less success was noted when we looked for more specific knowledge.
The results of the research were not surprising, since there were no conditions under which differences could become evident. Slovene Biology and Science curricula do not include any class discussions on the topic of wolf biology. It is important to realize that knowledge in this field helps students expand their general knowledge, become more acquainted with the role of the wolf in nature and with different ways of protecting the animal.
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