INVESTIGATION OF THE STUDENT VIEWS’ ON ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL TEACHING IN TERMS OF ANIMAL PROTECTION AWARENESS

In Geography education, the living conditions, distinct characteristics and distribution of animals are given in the Zoogeography area. However, Zoogeography (Animal Geography) courses in some universities in Turkey have yet very recently. The aim of this study is to determine the students’ perceptions about Zoogeography course in terms of diversity protection of animals which are being natural heritage element and contribution to their sustainability. The study is a case study in qualitative research design. In order to determine the study group, criterion sampling method which is one of the purposive sampling was used. A 9-item interview form was applied to 92 students who had taken the compulsory Zoogeography course at the 4th grade of Karabuk University Department of Geography. Descriptive analysis was used to interpret the opinions of the students. In the study, it was concluded that the interest and curiosity about animal life can be increased, more value can be given to the animals, animal presence can be adopted as an important element of the Biosphere not only as ‘animal husbandry’ and economic activity, a positive attitude towards animals can be developed, and awareness can be created on animal generations’ protection by teaching Zoogeography. Besides all these, other benefits of teaching Zoogeography in accordance with the student opinions are; the diversity of geographic elements depending on space can be recognized, peculiar geographical concepts and information belonging to the area of Geography which has not been studied much can be learned, the previously learned incorrect concepts and information are possible to correct, it can be developed an understanding towards geographical reasons of the animal distribution in Turkey and around the world. It is thought that all these information about the animal life can help to better know, care about, and protect the animal communities