People's knowledge and attitudes towards animals have a significant impact on the conservation and protection of these animals. In this study, we analyzed upper secondary school students' knowledge and attitudes toward the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). In order to test this, we created a questionnaire with a knowledge test and distributed it to students within two distinct regions of Slovenia (Kočevje and Gorenjska). We surveyed their degree of knowledge in regard to the Eurasian lynx based on the following factors: sex, year of education, and whether they were being educated in an area where the Eurasian lynx is present or not. We statistically assessed how their attitudes were influenced by degree of knowledge about the lynx and the region in which they were being educated. We found that students in both regions have little knowledge about the Eurasian lynx, and the least knowledge about the lynx as related to ecology. There was a difference in knowledge according to school year and according to sex, with males having more knowledge about the Eurasian lynx than females. There was no regional difference in knowledge between schools in Slovenia. In the analysis of the students' attitudes, we found that knowledge influenced attitudes. Students with more knowledge about the lynx had more positive attitudes than students with less knowledge. In addition, region impacted students’ attitudes. Students who are educated in the area where the lynx is present have a more positive attitude towards this animal than the students who live in the area where the lynx is not present. When it comes to both conservation and protection of the Eurasian lynx in Slovenia, positive attitudes play a very important role. It is essential that upper secondary schools students are given as much knowledge as possible about the Eurasian lynx in order to develop positive attitudes towards it.
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