Effect of Covering a Visitor Viewing Area Window on the Behaviour of Zoo-Housed Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor)

Abstract

Studies on the effects of visitors on zoo animals have shown mixed findings and as a result, the manner in which visitors affect zoo animals remains unclear for many species, including a rarely studied taxa such as penguins. Penguins are a common zoo-housed species and have been shown to display huddling, vigilance and avoidance towards zoo visitors which can be indicative of fear. Here, we examined the effects of covering one visitor viewing area window, out of four, on little penguin (Eudyptula minor) behaviours that may be indicative of fear. Two treatments were randomly imposed on different days: 1) The main visitor viewing area window, where most visitor-penguin interactions occurred, was uncovered (‘Main window uncovered’) and 2) The main visitor viewing area window was covered (‘Main window covered’). Penguin numbers and behaviour were recorded near the main visitor viewing area window and the three other visitor viewing area windows, as well as one area not visible to visitors (‘Corner’ area). Furthermore, visitor numbers and visitor behaviour were recorded at all four visitor viewing area windows. Covering the main visitor viewing area window reduced the proportion of visitors present at this window by about 85% (p < 0.001) and reduced potentially threatening visitor behaviours at this window such as tactile contact with the window, loud vocalisations and sudden movement (p < 0.05). When the main visitor viewing area window was covered, the proportion of penguins present increased by about 25% (p < 0.05), the proportion of visible penguins preening in the water increased by about 180% (p < 0.05) and the proportion of visible penguins vigilant decreased by about 70% (p < 0.05) in the area near this main window. A preference for the Corner area was also found whereby 59% and 49% of penguins were present in this area when the main window was uncovered and covered, respectively. These results provide limited evidence that the little penguins in this exhibit showed an aversion to the area near the main visitor viewing area window when it was uncovered based on the increased avoidance and vigilance and decreased preening in the water in this area. This suggests visitors may be fear-provoking for these little penguins. However, it is unclear whether visual contact with visitors per se or other aspects of visitor contact, such as visitor-induced sounds and vibrations, were responsible for this apparent aversion when this window was uncovered.

Visitor Attitudes Toward Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Two Australian Zoos

“…Consequently, the present study results are encouraging for both zoos as it suggests the two zoos are providing positive experiences for visitors at the penguin exhibit that may be related to positive visitor attitudes which is important for the overall ethical foundation of zoos (Maple and Perdue, 2013 ; Sherwen et al, 2018 ). However, despite these positive attitudes, there is evidence at both zoos that close visitor contact increases avoidance of visitors in little penguins (Chiew et al, 2019a , 2020 ).…”

“…Visitor attitudes were surveyed in conjunction with our experiments that investigated the effects of regulating visitor contact on little penguin behavior at Melbourne and Taronga Zoo (Chiew et al, 2019a , 2020 ). Visitor contact was regulated by making alterations or manipulations to the exhibit which included, a physical barrier placed 2 m from the enclosure at Melbourne Zoo and a visual barrier that obstructed the view between visitors and penguins at a single viewing window at Taronga Zoo (Chiew et al, 2019a , 2020 ). Chiew et al ( 2019a ) found that the close viewing proximity of visitors can be fear-provoking for little penguins at Melbourne Zoo, shown by the increased number of penguins huddling, vigilant, avoiding the visitor viewing area and decreased number of penguins surface swimming.…”

“…The close visitor viewing proximity also increased intense visitor behaviors including looming over the pool ledge, sudden movement and tactile contact with the pool's water. In comparison, little penguins at Taronga Zoo showed some avoidance of the main visitor viewing window when visitor contact was not obstructed, indicated by the reduced presence, reduced preening in the water and increased vigilance by little penguins in the area near this main window (Chiew et al, 2020 ). The unobstructed window also allowed visitors to view the penguins up close and engage in potentially fear-provoking behaviors such as banging on the window, loud vocalizations, and sudden movement at this window (Chiew et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Visitor attitudes were surveyed in conjunction with our studies that investigated the effects of regulating visitor contact on little penguin behavior at Melbourne and Taronga Zoo, using exhibit manipulations: a physical barrier and visual barrier, respectively (Chiew et al, 2019a , 2020 ). Consequently, the number of days questionnaires were collected differed between the zoos as a result of the differing experimental designs i.e., 24 study days at Melbourne Zoo and 10 study days at Taronga Zoo.…”

“…Penguins are commonly housed in zoos and have been referred to as a charismatic species based on their aesthetic appeal, being perceived as “cute” and have the ability to invoke a large amount of emotional affinity (Woods, 2000 ; Stokes, 2007 ; Tucker, 2007 ; Seddon and Ellenberg, 2008 ; Colléony et al, 2017 ; Chiew et al, 2020 ). Yet, there has been limited research to understand the attitudes of visitors toward this group of aquatic birds and lack of bird species being studied in general (Hosey et al, 2020 ).…”