The modern zoo: How do people perceive zoo animals?

Abstract

Despite the recent growth in scientific attention focusing upon human-animal relationships, very little research has been conducted in relation to the human experience of, and relationship with, zoo animals. In order to assess how the general public perceive zoo animals, a street survey questionnaire was used (Study 1, n = 200). In addition, a second study was carried out within Edinburgh Zoo, during which 216 zoo visitors were interviewed to establish their perceptions of zoos and their animals. The results of Study 1 indicate that conservation is generally considered to be the main role of the zoo today, that the general public outside of the zoo environment have a number of negative perceptions of zoo animals, such as them being bored and sad, and that these perceptions are affected by age and sex of respondent. By comparison, actual zoo visitors, in Study 2, appear to have a more positive perception of zoo animals and a greater awareness of the value of environmental enrichment. It appears that zoo visitors are influenced by the visual messages that they receive as they move throughout the zoo environment.