The Effects of Signage on Zoo Visitors at a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Exhibit
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom A
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Zoo visitors can be stressful to zoo residents, particularly the popular apes. This study explored ways to impact the interaction between visitors and zoo living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). A sign depicting a friendly chimpanzee behavior, the head nod, was present at an exhibit in an experimental condition. The absence of the sign was the control condition. From videotape of visitors, observers recorded the duration of looks toward the sign and the occurrence of a head nod in the subsequent 10 s. The mode duration of looks toward the sign was 3 s. Of those looks, 37.5% were followed by a head nod. This shows that signs are a way to affect visitor behavior and is a potential way to improve animal welfare.
Recommended Citation
Mas, Jessica; Pritchard, Alexander; Jensvold, Mary Lee; and Zager, Lindsay, "The Effects of Signage on Zoo Visitors at a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Exhibit" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 85.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/posters/85
Poster Number
29
Additional Mentoring Department
Primate Behavior
The Effects of Signage on Zoo Visitors at a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Exhibit
SURC Ballroom A
Zoo visitors can be stressful to zoo residents, particularly the popular apes. This study explored ways to impact the interaction between visitors and zoo living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). A sign depicting a friendly chimpanzee behavior, the head nod, was present at an exhibit in an experimental condition. The absence of the sign was the control condition. From videotape of visitors, observers recorded the duration of looks toward the sign and the occurrence of a head nod in the subsequent 10 s. The mode duration of looks toward the sign was 3 s. Of those looks, 37.5% were followed by a head nod. This shows that signs are a way to affect visitor behavior and is a potential way to improve animal welfare.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Mary Lee Jensvold