14 Questions
What are the different ways in which zoo visitors may be seen by animals? E___/P___, Prey, S___ (living together), C___ (same species), No ___.
Enemy/predators • Prey • Symbiont (living together) • Conspecific (same species) • No consequence
How do zoo visitors influence animals? N___, N___, H___, ___ in different ways (at exhibits, behind-scenes tours.
Noise • Numbers • Harm • influence in different ways (at exhibits, behind scenes tours)
How can zoo keepers potentially be more enriching and more stressful than zoo visitors? Spend ___ ___ ___ ___ Closer ___ positive ___ ___
Spend more time with animals • Closer interactions • Positive reinforcement training
What are the three levels of contact between zoo animals and familiar zoo visitors? Hands-___ P___ hands-___
Hands off (limited interaction) • Protected (mesh or fence in between) • Hands on (in with animal)
Why are zoo visitors important to zoos?
all of the above
What are some types of zoo visitor studies? ____ studies to find ____ of zoo visitors who comes to zoos? • ____ studies what do they do & where do they go inside the zoo? • How visitor ___ ___ ___ & behaviour change as a result of zoo visit (general or specific; short & long term) • Impact of different ___ ___ (close encounter, keeper talk, viewing an exhibit) • Impact of different zoo ___
baseline demographics, tracking, knowledge attitudes and emotion, visitor experience, campaigns.
What are some value add experiences that many zoos offer?
Signage/educational material • Touch tables • Keeper talks at exhibits • Animal feeding/enrichment/training • Tours around zoo with volunteers • Behind the scenes tours • Close encounters with animals
What are the goals of zoos in relation to visitor impact? Increasing visitor knowledge • Encouraging positive attitudes to animals and conservation • Influencing emotions (positive & negative) • Encouraging conservation behaviour change (to be more sustainable in/outside zoo)
Increasing visitor knowledge • Encouraging positive attitudes to animals and conservation • Influencing emotions (positive & negative) • Encouraging conservation behaviour change (to be more sustainable in/outside zoo)
what factors influence learning in zoos? ___ learning experience ___ level ___ for visit ___ variables type of ___
past, educational, motivation, animal, experience.
How are attitudes influenced by a zoo visit? ___ attitudes ___ about animals ___ for visit
Pre-existing, knowledge, motivation.
Why is the emotional aspect important for effective learning in zoos? emotions ___ depending on species not clear how this links to ___ ,,
vary, knowledge, attitudes, behaviour
What factors influence visitor behaviour change after a zoo visit? ___ ability to perform a behaviour ___ to perform a behaviour Socio ___ ___ to perform a behaviour ___ of connectivity to nature
percieved, opportunity, demographics, motivation, feelings.
what methods are commonly used to collect data for visitor studies?
all of the above
what type of statistical analysis are commonly used in visitor studies?
all of the above
Study Notes
Zoo Visitors and Animals
- Zoo visitors can be seen by animals as predators (E/P), prey, social group members (S), conspecifics (C), or non-entity (No).
Influence of Zoo Visitors
- Zoo visitors can influence animals through noise, novelty, and habitat disruption.
- Visitors can affect animals at exhibits and during behind-the-scenes tours in different ways.
Zoo Keepers' Influence
- Zoo keepers can be more enriching and stressful for animals than visitors by spending more time with them, closer proximity, and positive reinforcement.
Levels of Contact
- There are three levels of contact between zoo animals and familiar zoo visitors: hands-off, proximity, and hands-on.
Importance of Zoo Visitors
- Zoo visitors are important for zoos as they generate revenue and support conservation efforts.
Types of Zoo Visitor Studies
- There are several types of zoo visitor studies:
- Tracking studies to find out who comes to zoos
- Wayfinding studies to examine what visitors do and where they go inside the zoo
- Studies on how visitor attitudes and behaviour change as a result of a zoo visit (general or specific, short- and long-term)
- Studies on the impact of different experiences (close encounter, keeper talk, viewing an exhibit)
- Studies on the impact of different zoo exhibits
Value-Added Experiences
- Many zoos offer value-added experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, and conservation activities.
Goals of Zoos
- The goals of zoos in relation to visitor impact include:
- Increasing visitor knowledge about animals and conservation
- Encouraging positive attitudes towards animals and conservation
- Influencing emotions (positive and negative)
- Encouraging conservation behaviour change (to be more sustainable in and outside the zoo)
Factors Influencing Learning
- Factors that influence learning in zoos include:
- Learning experience
- Level of engagement
- Purpose for visit
- Personal variables
- Type of exhibit
Attitudes and Emotions
- Attitudes towards animals and conservation can be influenced by a zoo visit, depending on the type of exhibit, level of engagement, and purpose for visit.
- Emotions play an important role in effective learning in zoos, depending on the species and type of experience.
Visitor Behaviour Change
- Factors that influence visitor behaviour change after a zoo visit include:
- Ability to perform a behaviour
- Motivation to perform a behaviour
- Socio-demographic variables
- Opportunities to perform a behaviour
- Sense of connectivity to nature
Data Collection and Analysis
- Methods commonly used to collect data for visitor studies include surveys, observations, and interviews.
- Statistical analyses commonly used in visitor studies include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and regression analysis.
Test your knowledge on how zoo animals perceive visitors in different ways. Explore concepts like exhibition/protection, prey, socialization (living together), conspecifics (same species), and isolation.
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