Abstract
Previous research regarding behaviors of zoo visitors near exhibits has shown that they can influence animals’ well-being. What is unclear is whether people’s views concerning the purpose of zoos or their beliefs might influence their perception of what is acceptable behavior when visiting the zoo. In this study, we used naturalistic observation to examine zoo visitor behavior near specific exhibits. We also surveyed visitors regarding the purpose of zoos, their perception of animals and the zoo, and if they have seen inappropriate behavior in other zoo visitors. We observed visitors engaging in various inappropriate behaviors such as hitting the glass and trying to provoke the animals. These same inappropriate behaviors were also reported by visitors in our survey, indicating an awareness of what behaviors might be disruptive to animals. Visitors who reported similarities between humans and animals reported more inappropriate behaviors in others partially due to having more empathy for animals. When asked to consider the purpose of the zoo, education and conservation were ranked as being the most important, entertainment and research the least important priorities. However, of those who identified entertainment as most important, this group also reported humans to have less similarity with animals and reported less inappropriate behaviors in other visitors. Our findings suggest that zoo visitors’ views regarding the purpose of zoos and perceived human similarities to animals influence what they considered inappropriate behavior around captive zoo animals. This study provides the first exploration concerning the perception of visitors regarding other visitor behaviors directed towards zoo animals.
Highlights
Previous research regarding behaviors of zoo visitors near exhibits has shown that they can influence animals’ well-being
We found that the degree of similarity between humans and animals was positively associated with the number of reported inappropriate behaviors they saw in other visitors (rs (200) = .212, p (2-tailed) = .002)
We found that the degree to which visitors identified and empathized with animals at the zoo was positively associated with the number of reported inappropriate behaviors they saw in other visitors (rs (200) = .221, p (2-tailed) = .002)
Summary
Previous research regarding behaviors of zoo visitors near exhibits has shown that they can influence animals’ well-being. Zoos within the last several years, have made it easier for visitors to have these engaging and immersive experiences, while at the same time promoting positive animal welfare, education, and conservation (Andersen, 2003) Another consideration of the visitor effect is how similar the animals in an exhibit are to the visitors. When zoo visitors were asked by researchers to rank animal species from three different exhibits (gorilla, okapi, snake) in terms of which they empathized with more, gorillas and okapi received higher empathy rankings compared to snakes (Myers et al, 2004) This preference for bio-behavioral similarity with humans, such as large charismatic megafauna, attracts visitors as well as increases monetary support for conservation efforts (Hosey et al, 2020). What is missing from much of the research in this area, is how empathy towards animals as well as other beliefs such as the purpose of a zoological park, might influence visitors’ perception of an animals’ wellbeing
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