Zoological education: Can it change behaviour?

The behaviour of zoo visitors towards captive animals is a largely under-studied area of research. Evidence is beginning to emerge that certain behaviours by visitors like shouting, banging and staring can negatively affect animals. Previous methods to minimise negative visitor behaviours have primarily focused on physical exhibit alterations, such as barriers. The current study used an educational intervention (EI) in an attempt to decrease negative visitor behaviour and promote positive animal welfare. The visitors were groups of children, while three species of captive animals were studied: ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) and Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua). The children were studied under two conditions: 1) control groups who did not receive an educational intervention and 2) treatment groups who received the educational intervention. Children's and animals’ behaviour were simultaneously recorded using behaviour and scan sampling. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in negative behaviour by the children in the treatment groups at all three animal exhibits (ring-tailed lemurs: p = 0.020; Humboldt penguins: p < 0.001; Gentoo penguins: p = 0.031). Findings varied for the animals’ behaviour. Generally, there was no corresponding change in the animals’ behaviour associated with the presence of a treatment or control group. In conclusion, education programs in zoos could be enhanced by introducing programs aimed at reducing negative visitor behaviour.