It’s Science: Zoos & Aquariums Inspire Us All

Photo credit: Ramiro Espinoza

Educators treasure it. Trainers relish it. Narrators savor it.

“It” is the delight and joy that exudes from guests each and every day as they see and form a connection with animals in zoological parks and aquariums.

The key for guests is experiencing active animals up close, which motivates an emotional, empathetic response that shifts guests’ attitudes and fosters a personal responsibility for stewardship of our oceans and the wildlife that lives there. This is confirmed in a recently published paper in Anthrozoos.

Authors David Powell, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Department of Mammalogy, and Elizabeth Bullock, University of Edinburgh’s Department of Psychology, began with a review of the growing body of literature suggesting that this emotional stimulation is affected by characteristics of both the visitor and the visitor’s experiences.

They built on previous studies and explored relationships between emotional experience and the factors that influence it, visitors’ predispositions toward nature, and their reports of conservation mindedness after viewing three carnivore exhibits at New York City’s Bronx Zoo.

Guests’ emotional responses increased when they saw active animals displaying natural behaviors and when they reported having an up close encounter with the animals. Women reported stronger emotional responses to the animals than men. Age did not appear to be a factor. Young and older participants in the study reported similar emotional experiences. And, not surprisingly, individuals who arrived at the zoo caring more about nature reported a stronger increase in concern for conservation as a result of their experience with the animals.

The studies referenced in this paper, phenomenal in number and breadth and for dates of publication, make for fascinating reading. Two, published in 1999 and 2004, drew a positive correlation between emotions evoked during a visit to a zoo or museum or joining a wildlife tour and how that emotion increased conservation behaviors.

A number of studies dating back to 1980 indicate that a species perceived as familiar elicits more positive attitudes. Four studies point out that more active animals consistently prompt positive responses from visitors. Another suggests that efforts to provide experiences that arouse empathy will increase the effectiveness of environmental education programs.

So, what does all this mean for parks and aquariums exhibiting marine mammals? It is terrific news. In the context of this research and previously published studies discussed by the authors, the indicators important to the marine mammal community’s conservation successes become clear.

Whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine mammals are familiar and beloved by the public. Zoological parks and aquariums offer guests the opportunity to experience educational presentations, featuring active, healthy animals – essential to how guests respond to educational information from educators, trainers, and narrators.

Interactive programs are a unique opportunity to touch and experience the animals in an intimate, personal encounter. It was gratifying to learn from a Harris poll conducted for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums that 97% of young people ages 18 to 24, and 87% of those ages 18 to 34 are interested in swimming with dolphins. And that 94% of respondents agree that visiting marine life parks, aquariums, and zoos can inspire conservation action that can help marine mammals and their ocean environments.

Critics continue to assert that whales, dolphins, and other animals in zoological parks and aquarium provide no conservation benefit. While the Powell/Bullock paper has implications for animal husbandry, exhibit design, education, and outreach efforts, it also refutes that claim.

Should anyone question how zoos and aquariums inspire concern for the environment and why they are effective, send the individual a link to the Powell/Bullock paper: Evaluation of Factors Affecting Emotional Responses in Zoo Visitors and the Impact of Emotion on Conservation Mindedness.

End of discussion.

Article written by Marilee Menard, former executive director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.