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When zoo visitors 'connect' with a zoo animal, what does that mean?
- Source :
- Zoo biology. 38(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Connection with a zoo animal may increase conservation-mindedness in zoo visitors, potentially resulting in conservation-oriented behavior change. No research has attempted to establish what this "connection" actually means. Visitors (N = 85) to Melbourne Zoo were asked to name the animal with which they most connected, the extent to which they connected with it, and to qualitatively describe what it meant to connect with that animal. Many (but not all) participants connected with charismatic megafauna: primate, great ape, large carnivore, or large herbivore. Qualitative analysis revealed five common themes in the meaning of connection: Appreciation, Attribution, Inspires Emotions, Interaction, and Proximity. Overall connection level was significantly correlated with perceptions of conservation caring for the chosen species. Future research should aim to determine what factors affect a zoo visitor's connection level, which could impact attitudes and behaviors toward conservation.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Carnivore (software)
Conservation of Natural Resources
media_common.quotation_subject
Wildlife
Empathy
Biology
Animal Welfare
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Animal welfare
Animals
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology
media_common
Visitor pattern
Data Collection
05 social sciences
Charismatic megafauna
Australia
General Medicine
Attitude
Public Opinion
Animal Science and Zoology
Animals, Zoo
Attribution
Social psychology
Meaning (linguistics)
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10982361
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Zoo biology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e397455d102221753cc0fc1405a0c8f2