The Modern Zoo: Demographics and Perceptions of Two International Groups of Zoo Staff

Heather Bacon,Belinda Vigors,Catriona Bell,Natalie Waran,Cathy M Dwyer,Darren J Shaw

doi:10.3390/jzbg2040046

Abstract

Characterising the people that work in zoos is a key element of understanding how zoos might better contribute to conservation activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate demographics, early life experiences and perceptions of zoo staff to the role of the modern zoo. This paper reports the key characteristics and qualitative themes emerging from study of international (European and Chinese) zoo professionals. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight Chinese and eight European zoo staff about aspects of zoological animal welfare, conservation and zoological practices. These qualitative data were thematically analysed, and themes generated. This paper describes interviewee demographics and two themes relating to ‘early life influences’ and ‘the role of the modern zoo’. This analysis indicates that demographic data and early life influences of zoo professionals were broadly similar between two culturally diverse regions, but that their views on the role of the modern zoo differed, particularly in terms of their perceptions of conservation activities, with European interviewees focussing on biodiversity conservation, and Chinese interviewees focussing on animal protection.

Highlights

Published: 22 November 2021Modern zoos have evolved considerably from the menageries of the past, and in many societies around the world, zoos are expected to contribute significantly to conservation, public education, and recreational activities [1,2,3], as well as to promoting good standards of captive animal welfare [4,5]
It is clear that animal welfare and conservation activities are key activities in the modern zoo, but what is less clear is how the staff working within zoos understand and perceive these activities, and whether there is a common understanding of these terms to zoo staff globally. This gap in the literature presents a research problem that this study aims to address This study selected two diverse regions (China and Europe), both with zoo membership associations focussed on conservation, education and welfare
This study presents the first evidence of the importance of zoo animal protection and care to Chinese zoo staff’s perceptions of conservation and the role of the modern zoo

Summary

Introduction

Modern zoos have evolved considerably from the menageries of the past, and in many societies around the world, zoos are expected to contribute significantly to conservation, public education, and recreational activities [1,2,3], as well as to promoting good standards of captive animal welfare [4,5]. The role of the modern zoo continues to evolve globally, with increasing research and professional guidance being generated from zoo associations such as the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria [6,7]. The role of zoos in providing good standards of zoo animal welfare is increasingly discussed [9,10,11]. Interactions with zoo staff may result in deeper visitor engagement in conservation topics [1], highlighting the importance of Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

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