Stein, LeaBüscher, MilanHillebrand, PhilipFiebelkorn, FlorianSchlünder, SusanneCazar Ramírez, María ElenaDurán López, María Elisa2023-06-202023-06-2020231063-1119, e 1568-5306http://dspace.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/42237https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147172136&origin=resultslist&sort=plf-f&src=s&sid=69af3731d120eda15113227fa2cf1ada&sot=b&sdt=b&s=TITLE-ABS-KEY%28Ecuadorian+Children%E2%80%99s+Willingness+to+Protect+Endangered+Species+%E2%80%93+Identifying+Behavioral+Predictors+in+a+Biodiversity+Hotspot%29&sl=140&sessionSearchId=69af3731d120eda15113227fa2cf1adaThe loss of biodiversity is a problem that particularly affects biodiversity hotspots. Children play a crucial role in the conservation of endangered species. One important prerequisite for conservation behavior is the willingness to protect endangered animal species. The present study investigated the influence of several variables on Ecuadorian children’s willingness to protect domestic endangered animal species (N = 154; MAge = 8.57; SD = 0.55; 48.1% female). Gender, caring beliefs (a subdimension of the wildlife value orientation), dispositional empathy with endangered animals, and threat perception of the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) toward humans were strong predictors of the willingness to protect them. Conversely, psychological distance, and threat perception of both the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the jaguar (Panthera onca) had no significant influence on willingness to protect. However, their effects may be indirect. The results of this study are relevant for biodiversity conservation and educators in schools.es-ESWillingness to protect endangered animalsBiodiversity hotspotChildrenDispositional empathy with endangered animalsPsychological distanceThreat perceptionWildlife value orientationARTÍCULO10.1163/15685306-bja10119