Animal-Visitor Interactions In The Modern Zoo: Conflicts And Interventions

The objectives of zoos can conflict; for example, animal welfare, education, conservation, research, and entertainment. An examination of research centered around animal-visitor interactions concludes that exhibit design, species characteristics, and visitor education can positively affect animal-visitor interactions.

Zoo visitors enjoy close interactions with and learning about animal behavior in zoos, although this increases stress for zoo animals. Based on a review of research addressing visitor-animal interactions in zoos, these authors concluded that “careful attention to exhibit design, species characteristics, and visitor education can increase positive animal–visitor interactions and facilitate the multiple goals of modern zoos.”