DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON ACTIONS TO HELP WILDLIFE
Zoo collections contain many species that are threatened by human actions (or inaction). Millions of people visit zoos each year, and so the collective actions of zoo visitors have tremendous potential to address threats to wildlife. But there are is a huge range of things that zoos could ask visitors to do to make a difference. But which actions should zoos ask visitors to do? This collaborative research project examines how zoo staff and zoo visitors’ perspectives on behaviours to target differ, and analyses successful behaviour campaigns.
AIM
To identify behaviours that are effective at helping wildlife and which visitors are willing to do.
METHODS
Over the past 5-6 years, two studies have examined this question; a third study is currently underway.
The first study was conducted between 2004 and 2006. Researchers from Monash University’s Tourism Research Unit conducted five workshops with general staff at Zoos Victoria properties and two other workshops with the zoo executive group and the Friends of the Zoo to identify the staff’s beliefs on which behaviours should be targeted.
The second study was conducted in 2009 and sought visitors’ perspectives on the type of behaviour they would prefer to be asked to do. This study was conducted by Dr Liam Smith, Dr Jim Curtis and Dr Pieter Van Dijk.
The third (and current) study repeats the first study but asks zoo staff at eight zoos around Australia to specifically consider what visitors told the researchers in the second study (see results). This study is being conducted by Dr Liam Smith, Professor Betty Weiler and Ms Amy Smith. Although Zoos Victoria is a partner in this study, we have already used a similar approach and moved away from the more traditional behavioural requests identified in Study One.
RESULTS
The first study found that that zoo staff prefer fairly traditional behavioural requests, such as asking visitors to donate, reduce, reuse, recycle and volunteer. In the second study, visitors indicated that they like new and easy behaviours, preferably with an on-site option. However, visitors also indicated that it was important for the zoo to clearly explain how performing the behaviour can help wildlife.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
If visitors’ perspectives on the type of behaviours they should be asked are taken into consideration, there should be a greater chance that they will be willing to act on zoo requests for help. Collectively the actions of zoo visitors have proved effective in recent campaigns (e.g. recycling mobile phones, lobbying for compulsory labelling of palm oil). Considering visitors' receptiveness to behaviour requests is critcially important for the success of future campaigns.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- on this research, see:
Smith, L.D.G. (2009). Identifying behaviors to target during zoo visits. Curator: The Museum Journal 52 (1):101-115.
Smith, L.D.G., J. Curtis, and P.A. Van Dijk. (in press). What the zoo should ask: the visitor perspective on pro-wildlife behaviour attributes. Curator: The Museum Journal. 53(3)
- on Zoos Victoria's community conservation campaigns - click here.
- on the Monash University Tourism Research Unit - click here.
- on the zoo partners - follow the links below:
Keeper talks often involve requests for pro-wildlife behaviours |
The earlier surveys found that zoo staff identified traditional behavioural requests, such as recycling... |
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...while visitors preferred on-site, innovative behaviours with clear links to conservation outcomes. Zoos Victoria's current communtiy conservation campaigns reflect these preferences: |
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