Understanding the Effectiveness of Demonstration Programs

Price, Allison; Boeving, Emily R.; Shender, Marisa A.; Ross, Stephen R.

doi:10.1179/1059865014z.00000000078

Cited by 8 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Previous research has indicated that shows or demonstrations [Heinrich and Birney, ; Swanagan, ; Miller et al, ; Price et al, ] as well as having discussions with zoo staff [Mony and Heimlich, ] lead to positive conservation‐related outcomes. Unexpectedly, there was no relationship found between the Elephant Talk and people's attitudes or conservation intent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While several research works have helped to determine visitors’ gained cognitive knowledge at zoos [Spotte and Clark, ; Jensen, ; Perdue et al, ], research regarding guest attitudes, perceptions and behaviors has historically been lacking [Ogden and Heimlich, ]. However, in recent years, such research has been on the rise in an effort to showcase the importance of zoos in regards to the public's understanding of conservation [Gurusamy et al, ; Price et al, ; Luebke et al, ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Zoo visitor perceptions, attitudes, and conservation intent after viewing African elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Hacker

Miller

2016

Zoo Biology

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Elephants in the wild face several conservation issues. With the rebranding of zoos as conservation and education pioneers, they have the ability to both educate and inspire guests to action. The purpose of this research was to analyze visitor perceptions and attitudes toward elephant conservation and outcomes post-exhibit visit. A one-page survey was randomly administered to assess perceptions of elephant behavior, attitudes about elephant conservation, and intended conservation-related outcomes from September 2013 to January 2014. Principle component analysis identified three major components: concern for elephants in zoos, importance of elephants in the wild, and modification of nature. Visitors who scored highly on conservation intent were those with positive attitudes towards elephants in the wild and negative attitudes regarding the modification of nature. The greatest changes in conservation intent were a result of a self-reported up-close encounter and the ability to witness active behaviors. Providing guests with the opportunity to witness or experience such occurrences may aid in a more successful delivery of the zoo's conservation message. Further research into guest emotions and affective states in relation to viewing elephants in a zoological institution would provide greater insight into improving the guest experience and helping zoos meet their conservation mission. Zoo Biol. 35:355-361, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoo visitor perceptions, attitudes, and conservation intent after viewing African elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Hacker

Miller

2016

Zoo Biology

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“…museums), may be missed by visitors (Falk, 2005;Ross & Gillespie, 2009). In response to this, zoos and aquariums are developing new methods, such as research or husbandry demonstrations (Price et al, 2015), and interactive touch-screen displays with information about, for example, Bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus (Lindemann-Matthies & Kamer, 2006) and orangutans Pongo spp (Perdue et al, 2012), to complement existing signage displays and enhance learning opportunities. Moreover, animal shows or keeper presentations can increase visitor conservation support (e.g.…”

Section: Zoo-and-aquarium-based Conservation Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

Mellish

Pearson

Sanders

et al. 2016

International Zoo Yearbook

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Marine debris poses a significant threat to marine wildlife. Given human action is responsible for this litter, reducing debris in the marine environment and rates of marine wildlife entanglement (MWE) (i.e. marine animals that are trapped in debris, such as fishing nets or plastic) rests on public education and action. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Seal the Loop (STL) initiative at Melbourne Zoo, Australia, which was designed to meet these aims. The research used visitor surveys following a visit to a fur‐seal exhibit and/or educational fur‐seal show experience (n = 180 visitors). The findings from this study suggest that participants understand the causes and effects of MWE after visiting the fur‐seal exhibit and/or watching the STL show, with both groups accurately appraising that MWE presents a significant risk to marine wildlife (mean = 84·28/100, sd = 17·97, and mean = 88·61/100, sd = 13·39, respectively). However, between‐group differences also emerged, with show visitors more likely to report learning something new, more likely to be familiar with the STL programme and its aims, displaying more positive attitudes towards marine animals and their conservation, and reporting both a higher willingness to change their future behaviour to support marine conservation (P = 0·052) and a higher perception that their individual action could make a difference (P < 0·05). This study adds to the literature regarding how interactive shows with storytelling can complement traditional static displays, as well as informing our understanding of the interplay between public knowledge/attitudes/behaviours in relation to marine debris and marine‐conservation issues. It is hoped this research will contribute to the ongoing development of education initiatives at zoos and aquariums to enable them to achieve their conservation missions.

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“…Conducting cognitive bias studies in zoos and making the process and results clear to the public, would provide an objective tool for visitors to make their own decisions about the animals’ welfare. Public demonstrations of research protocols have been found to increase zoos visitor knowledge and engagement [ 77 , 78 ]. Since cognitive biases, primarily optimistic and pessimistic traits, are present in humans and easily relatable, this area of research in zoos could be an important bridge linking objective welfare information to visitors and other stakeholders.…”

Section: Why Should Zoos Conduct Cognitive Bias Research?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Bias in Zoo Animals: An Optimistic Outlook for Welfare Assessment

Clegg¹

2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryCognitive bias testing has emerged as one of the most valid tools in measuring animals’ affective states, and while it has been extensively applied in farm and laboratory settings, only a few studies have taken place in zoos and aquaria. This review evaluates past cognitive bias studies on non-domesticated, “exotic” species kept in zoos or other settings and uses their experiences to make recommendations for establishing this research in zoos. The many variables inherent to functioning zoo environments will determine the scope and design of cognitive bias studies, but equally future efforts should be cognizant of the significant and unique benefits for the animals, managers, and scientists involved.AbstractCognitive bias testing measures how emotional states can affect cognitive processes, often described using the “glass half-full/half-empty” paradigm. Classical or operant conditioning is used to measure responses to ambiguous cues, and it has been reported across many species and contexts that an animal’s cognitive bias can be directly linked to welfare state, e.g., those in better welfare make more optimistic judgements. Cognitive bias testing has only recently been applied to animals and represents a key milestone in welfare science: it is currently one of the only accurate methods available to measure welfare. The tests have been conducted on many farm, laboratory, and companion animal species, but have only been carried out in zoo settings a handful of times. The aims of this review are to evaluate the feasibility of cognitive bias testing in zoos and its potential as a tool for studying zoo animal welfare. The few existing zoo cognitive bias studies are reviewed, as well as those conducted on similar, non-domesticated species. This work is then used to discuss how tests could be successfully designed and executed in zoo settings, which types of tests are most appropriate in different contexts, and how the data could be used to improve animal welfare. The review closely examines the many variables are present in the zoo which cannot be controlled as in other settings, termed here the Zoo Environment (ZE) Variables. It is recommended that tests are developed after consideration of each of the ZE Variables, and through strong collaboration between zookeepers, managers, and academic institutions. There is much unexplored potential of cognitive bias testing in the zoo setting, not least its use in investigating animal welfare in zoos. It is hoped that this review will stimulate increased interest in this topic from zoo managers, scientists, and industry regulators alike.

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Understanding the Effectiveness of Demonstration Programs

Cited by 8 publications

References 4 publications

Zoo visitor perceptions, attitudes, and conservation intent after viewing African elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Zoo visitor perceptions, attitudes, and conservation intent after viewing African elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

Cognitive Bias in Zoo Animals: An Optimistic Outlook for Welfare Assessment

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