Assessing the Effects of New Primate Exhibits on Zoo Visitors’ Attitudes and Perceptions by Using Three Different Assessment Methods
Using three different methods, this study investigated how zoo visitors behaved in response to both old and new exhibits of four nonhuman primate species and how they perceived these primates. On-site observations showed that zoo visitors were more likely to stop in front of new exhibits and spend more time viewing new exhibits compared with […]
Influences on visitor behavior at a modern immersive zoo exhibit
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20220.abs Zoos serve as centers for both research and education. The challenge is to convey messages about their conservation projects while meeting visitor expectations, which often include recreation and entertainment. One way this can be achieved is through the design of immersive exhibits that draw visitors in and engage them with interactive educational elements. […]
Homage to Niko Tinbergen and Konrad Lorenz: Is classical ethology relevant to zoos?
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430080302.abs A personal account of the impact of the founders of ethology is presented. Niko Tinbergen and Konrad Lorenz profoundly affected the attitudes of people toward animals, showing people, for the first time, the sophistication of animal behavior. Also presented is a personal memoir of working with Tinbergen, and speculation on how zoos might […]
The Relationship between Popularity and Body Size in Zoo Animals
Larger animals are more expensive to maintain in zoos than are smaller animals, and they breed at slower rates. Consequently, zoos could potentially contribute more to conservation efforts by concentrating on smaller-bodied species, but they could lose patronage if the zoo’s public prefers to see larger species. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the popularity […]
Exhibit design and visitor behavior: Empirical relationships
Measurements of visitor behavior were collected at selected exhibits in 13 zoos throughout the United States. Percentage of visitors who stopped at each exhibit and the duration of visitor viewing time were obtained at exhibits of various species. Visitor behavior was found to correlate with both the characteristics of animals (animal activity, size of species, […]
Second and Third-Generation Zoo Exhibits: A Comparison of Visitor, Staff, and Animal Responses
The present study compared visitor, staff, and animal responses to two second-generation and two third-generation exhibits that displayed the same species of animals-Bornean orangutans and Pigmy chimpanzees-at the San Diego Zoo. Four methods were used to assess responses to the two types of exhibits: behavior mapping, timing, a visitor questionnaire, and staff interviews. Attitudinal measures […]