Abstract
Simple SummaryThis study explores the characteristics of animal-visitor Interactions (AVIs) (interactions between people and captive wild animals) in zoos and aquaria across the globe. We reviewed information provided on public websites of institutions that are either direct members of the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) or belong to regional and national associations that have WAZA membership. The opportunity for visitors to interact with wild animals was promoted on the majority of the facilities’ websites. Petting captive wild animals was the most common AVI activity advertised (43%) of facilities, and interaction with mammals was the most advertised taxonomic class (53%). Some activities involving direct contact with wildlife were promoted more commonly than expected (for example, hand feed and ride wild animals, and walk with or swim through wild animal enclosures). Some of the advertised AVIs have the potential to impact animal welfare; in light of this, we provide recommendations to balance and manage captive wild animal welfare in AVIs with other primary interconnected goals.We provide an initial insight into the occurrence and characteristics of animal-visitor interactions (AVIs) involving captive wild animals within zoos and aquaria. Using information provided online via official public websites of modern zoos and aquaria, we found that AVIs were provided by the majority of facilities. Our study revealed that a variety of AVI types were being offered. Globally, petting captive wild animals was the most prevalent AVI type advertised (n = 1241 observations, 43% (534) of facilities) and Mammalia was the most advertised taxonomic class (n = 5142; 53% (2739)). We found certain AVI types that were more commonly offered than predicted. These were opportunities to: (1) Hand feed captive wild animals in Asia, North America and Oceania; (2) ride wild animals in Europe and North America; (3) walk with or swim through wild animal enclosures in Asia; and (4) walk with wild animals in Asia and Europe. Given the global prevalence of AVIs in modern zoos and aquaria, and an apparent lack of animal welfare focused research, we provide recommendations to help effectively balance and manage captive wild animal welfare with other primary interconnected goals.
Highlights
Modern zoos and aquaria can play an important positive role in conserving wildlife, for example, by caring for individual animals in captivity as part of wild release program [1]
We provide an initial insight into the extent, occurrence and characteristics of animal-visitor interactions (AVIs) with wild animals taking place within zoos and aquaria across the globe
It is clear that a majority of zoos and aquaria are providing AVIs, presumably to help support their broad remit composed of animal welfare, conservation, education and research goals
Summary
Modern zoos and aquaria can play an important positive role in conserving wildlife, for example, by caring for individual animals in captivity as part of wild release program [1]. Zoos can only maintain a limited number of endangered species [2]. Zoo and aquaria remain under scrutiny for their collection paradigms, breeding and reintroduction programs in relation to conservation outputs. Most modern zoos and aquaria have a remit comprised of five primary, interconnected goals: (1). Conservation; (2) education; (3) research; (4) animal welfare; and (5) entertainment [3]. While some modern zoos and aquaria can place a major emphasis on the first four goals, a substantial number of visitors come, at least in part, for entertainment [3]. Providing entertaining experiences can encourage initial visits and subsequent returns, both of which can translate into greater revenue to help achieve its other goals [3]
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