FACTORS AFFECTING YOUNG PEOPLE’S BEHAVIORAL COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF LOCAL GAZELLE SPECIES: THE CASE OF ŞANLIURFA IN TURKEY

The protection of wildlife is an important issue for Turkey. This research examines factors affecting the behavioral commitment of young people, living in the Şanlıurfa province of Turkey, to the protection of the local gazelle species, within the framework of the Value-Belief-Norm Theory. The research was conducted with the participation of high school students (N=472), and it was found that personal norms and the ascription of responsibility are the strongest predictors of behavioral commitment to the protection of the gazelle species. Self-transcendence and conservation value clusters also had a positive impact on behavioral commitment to the protection of the gazelles. The research concludes by making recommendations concerning education programs on the protection of the gazelle species.