Accredited Marine Parks, Aquariums and Zoos Best Places for Children to Learn About, Connect with Marine Mammals
This poll, sponsored by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, examines aquarium attendance and attitudes toward aquariums in the US. The survey finds in the past year 40% of respondents visited a marine park, aquarium, or zoo and that most (89%) respondents feel children will learn more about marine life at an aquarium than in a classroom. It is important to note that the survey is reporting on attitudes toward aquariums, it is not examining whether aquariums actually achieve the goals respondents are answering questions about.
Survey Findings:
- “94% of those polled agree that children are more likely to be concerned about animals if they learn about them at marine life parks, aquariums and zoos.”
- “88% agree that you can learn about animals at marine parks in a way that can’t be replicated by watching film or TV programs.”
- 91% of respondents think that seeing an animal at an aquarium “fosters a connection to the animal.”
- “40% of Americans (about 125 million people) have visited a marine park, aquarium or zoo in the last 12 months.”
- 56% of households with children have visited a marine park, aquarium or zoo in the last 12 months.
- “90 percent agree that species in the wild benefit when their biology and physiology is studied in marine life parks, aquariums and zoos.”
- “90% believe that interacting with dolphins in a marine life park, aquarium or zoo offers people a deeper understanding and appreciation of this mammal.”
http://www.ammpa.org/doc_harris2012nr.html