Beyond inspiration: Translating zoo and aquarium experiences into conservation behavior

Routman, Emily O; Khalil, Kathayoon; Schultz, P. Wesley; Keith, Robin M

doi:10.1002/zoo.21716

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The actions of the zoo itself, for example using sustainable energy sources, conserving water, and considering the carbon footprint of goods and services used, all would promote planetary wellbeing and the associated positive impacts on humans and wildlife. “Action by doing” could be promoted by a trip to the zoo as visitors can leave with ideas of how to be sustainable in their own lives having viewed such initiatives during their time at the zoo ( Mann et al, 2018 ; Routman et al, 2022 ). Alongside of visitors, the wellbeing of zoo staff can be promoted by Wellbeing becoming a key zoo aim.…”

Section: Future Research To Further Understand Wellbeing As An Aim Of...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

Rose

Riley

2022

Front. Psychol.

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Zoos and aquariums have an enormous global reach and hence an ability to craft meaningful conservation action for threatened species, implement educational strategies to encourage human engagement, development and behavior change, and conduct scientific research to enhance the husbandry, roles and impacts of the living collection. The recreational role of the zoo is also vast- people enjoy visiting the zoo and this is often a shared experience amongst family and friends. Evaluating how the zoo influences this “captive audience” and extending its reach to include a compassionate approach to animals and people can further enhance the mission, value, and relevance of their work. The modern zoo’s current aims—Conservation, Education, Research and Recreation—provide useful foundations for the activities that zoos conduct at a local and national level. However, to improve sustainability of their actions and outcomes, we feel that Wellbeing should become the fifth aim of the modern zoo for the future- both from an animal perspective (ensuring that populations are managed according to prevailing behavioral needs) and from a human perspective (enhancing access to nature, promoting planetary friendly behavior changes and ways of living, and advancing the wellbeing of the zoo’s workforce). This paper provides discussion and review of how Wellbeing is already a substantial part of what zoos work on as well as posing the idea of altering the Recreation aim of the zoo to one of Engagement, which potentially is more measurable and therefore can allow zoo researchers and managers further options for the collection of evidence on the local and global reach of their zoo’s aims. Education, Engagement, Conservation, Research and Wellbeing provide a more complete picture of the roles of the modern zoo for the animals (both in situ and ex situ), human visitors and workforce, and to society more widely.

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Section: Future Research To Further Understand Wellbeing As An Aim Of...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

Rose

Riley

2022

Front. Psychol.

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“…As zoos and aquariums have increasingly become trusted sources of conservation issues (Rabb, 2004), their role in influencing pro‐environmental behaviour change in visitors continues to grow (Ballantyne & Packer, 2005; Maynard et al, 2020; Routman et al, 2022; Yocco et al, 2015). Rabb (2004) suggests there are four key roles zoos play: wildlife conservationist, citizen model, agents of conservation and capacity builders and trainers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Walking the talk’: Applying community‐based social marketing to a pilot food waste programme at Lincoln Park Zoo

Shoffstall

Somor

2022

Zoo Biology

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Zoos and aquariums are uniquely situated to encourage the adoption of proenvironmental behaviours by the public at large. While the activation of conservation behaviours in a visitor base is necessary, there is an equally essential call to 'walk the talk' by aligning organizational missions and identity with internal practice. This study evaluated an adapted community-based social marketing (CBSM) model to foster food waste-related behaviour change in a unique audience of zoo staff and volunteers. This paper describes an innovative, real-world example of how conservation institutions can modify conservation psychology theories and the CBSM framework for the practical application of mission-aligned pro-environmental behaviour change campaigns. While audience engagement fluctuated throughout the campaign, we observed an attitudinal and/or behavioural shift in our target audience as a result of the campaign, indicating some success in achieving positive outcomes. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made about how to sustain momentum and participation in campaigns, including the utility of a scale for engagement approaches relative to organizational capacity and resources available.

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“…Consequently, visitors spend less time at these exhibits (Bitgood et al, 1988; Fernandez et al, 2009). On the other hand, naturalistic exhibit design enhances animal welfare and promotes natural behavior, which increases visitor learning (Altman, 1998; Reade & Waran, 1996; Routman et al, 2010; Smith & Broad, 2008). Hence, even if signage is of a good standard, poor animal welfare can override any messaging delivered by the sign.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

It's a sign: Animal welfare and zoo type are predictors of animal identification signage usage and quality at zoo exhibits

Fourage

Shepherd²,

Campera

et al. 2022

Zoo Biology

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Conservation education programs are listed as priority actions for almost every threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.Zoos play an important role in delivering such programs, yet evidence of zoo education in many non-western countries is limited. Here, we evaluate animal identification signage prevalence and quality at zoo exhibits and investigate whether animal welfare, zoo type (accredited, government, and private), admission fee, zoo size, and proximity to urban centers are influencing factors. We used hornbills (Bucerotidae) as a model taxon, surveyed hornbill signage, and conducted welfare assessments of hornbill exhibits. We developed scoring frameworks and applied content analysis to analyze signage quality. Our results show that out of 18 zoos that displayed hornbills, 15 had hornbill signage. However, of the 106 hornbill exhibits in these zoos, 33% had no signage. We also found that signage presence or absence at individual zoos and signage quality is strongly correlated with animal welfare quality.Zoo type is a key factor in predicting signage and welfare quality, with accredited zoos scoring highest for both signage and welfare, followed by government and private zoos. Private zoos charged higher admission than other zoo types, and zoo size and proximity to urban centers did not influence signage or welfare scores.Overall, we conclude that in our study, signage usage and quality are inadequate, highlighting the importance of compliance with robust zoo standards to improve education and welfare within zoos to support global conservation goals.

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Beyond inspiration: Translating zoo and aquarium experiences into conservation behavior

Cited by 5 publications

References 61 publications

Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

‘Walking the talk’: Applying community‐based social marketing to a pilot food waste programme at Lincoln Park Zoo

It's a sign: Animal welfare and zoo type are predictors of animal identification signage usage and quality at zoo exhibits

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