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You are here: Home > Conservation Education > Why Zoos Matter: Final Report |
Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter
Assessing the Impact of a Visit to a Zoo or Aquarium
Download the full report in PDF (24 pp.)
To find out if zoos and aquariums successfully promote conservation, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) formed strategic partnerships and undertook a three-year, nationwide study of the impacts of a visit to a zoo or aquarium. We found that going to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in North America does have a measurable impact on the conservation attitudes and understanding of adult visitors.
The AZA is using the study results, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and developed through partnerships with the Institute of Learning Innovation (ILI) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to better understand and predict our member institutions' contributions to public understanding of animals and conservation.
The findings contribute insights into the overall impact of a zoo or aquarium visit – both immediately and in the months after the visit. They also provide us with an analysis of how seeing wildlife at these institutions affects the way people think about conservation and their own role in helping protect the environment.
Key Results
Visits to accredited zoos and aquariums prompt individuals to reconsider their role in environmental problems and conservation action, and to see themselves as part of the solution.
Visitors believe zoos and aquariums play an important role in conservation education and animal care.
Visitors believe they experience a stronger connection to nature as a result of their visit.
Visitors bring with them a higher-than-expected knowledge about basic ecological concepts. Zoos and aquariums support and reinforce the values and attitudes of the visitor.
Visitors arrive at zoos and aquariums with specific identity-related motivations and these motivations directly impact how they conduct their visit and what meaning they derive from the experience.
Our visitor impact study shows that zoos and aquariums are enhancing public understanding of wildlife and the conservation of the places animals live. We believe these results will help institutions develop even more effective exhibitions and educational programs that help connect people with nature and encourage attitude and behavioral changes that help conservation.
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