Characterizing the trophy hunting debate on Twitter
Trophy hunting is a polarizing issue in conservation, and debates on platforms like Twitter play a growing role in shaping public opinion and policy. A study analyzing 500 tweets found the majority (350) opposed trophy hunting, forming archetypes such as activist, scientific, condemning, and objecting—each driven by distinct moral reasoning. Few tweets (22) supported it, and discourse was often hostile, with 7% being abusive. While the study didn’t weigh the conservation value of trophy hunting, it emphasized that online opposition stems largely from differing ethical frameworks. This highlights the need for conservationists to better engage the public by clearly communicating evidence and integrating diverse views. As public sentiment increasingly drives conservation outcomes, understanding the moral roots of opposition is vital to defending sustainable practices like regulated trophy hunting that contribute to biodiversity protection and community-based conservation.
