A Conceptual Model for Understanding Types of Visitor Effects and Suggestions for Improving Visitor Effects Research
Publication Type: |
Book Section |
Year of Publication: |
2024 |
Authors: |
Ashley N Edes, David M Powell |
Publication/Journal: |
Human-Animal Interactions in Zoos: Integrating Science and Practice |
Publisher: |
CABI GB |
Keywords: |
animal behavior, animal visitor interaction (AVI), emotional arousal, five domains model, visitor effects |
Abstract:
The effect of visitors on animals in zoos is typically categorized as positive, negative or neutral based primarily on animal behavioural responses. However, animal–visitor interactions are complex, and despite nearly five decades of research, there remains no consensus on how visitors affect zoo animals. Furthermore, a review of the literature reveals a tendency towards interpreting mixed or ambiguous results as evidence of negative visitor effects. This bias may be due to early research, which indeed found negative effects, but zoo habitats and visitors have changed substantially in recent decades. As welfare is a subjective experience, prioritizing individual assessments may be more useful than searching for broad taxonomic trends. We offer a conceptual model for considering the impact of visitors on individual animals through an expansion of the Five Domains Model and using systems of emotional arousal. Moreover, we suggest ways to challenge biases and improve visitor effects research moving forward.