The zoo visitor experience and its connection to behavior in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Presenter Information

Alan Bergman

Document Type

Poster

Campus where you would like to present

Ellensburg

Event Website

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source

Start Date

15-5-2019

End Date

15-5-2019

Abstract

Most zoos have missions to provide high-quality care for their animals and an enjoyable and educational experience for visitors. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between visitors and gorillas in a zoo environment. The effect of gorilla proximity to the visitor viewing areas on visitor attentiveness was examined in an indoor and outdoor gorilla exhibit. Visitor experience surveys were conducted for visitors exiting the outdoor exhibit. Stepwise multiple regressions revealed group and individual gorilla proximity effects on visitor attentiveness. For the majority of analyses, visitor attentiveness increased as the gorillas got closer to the viewing area, but proximity of two individual gorillas caused decreased attentiveness. Only one individual gorilla, a silverback in a family group, consistently changed positions in response to increases in visitor attentiveness, positioning himself farther away from the viewing area. Visitors answered more positively to survey items concerning their perception of the zoo’s gorillas when they also reported witnessing more active gorilla behaviors, and also showed increased concern about gorilla conservation efforts when they spoke to an employee or volunteer about gorillas. Zoos can use this information to design enclosures that promote more active behaviors in their gorillas and to provide volunteers or employees that can discuss gorillas and conservation issues. This can allow visitors to have more enriching experiences while still limiting any negative effects on the gorillas.

Winner, Outstanding Poster Presentation, School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Kara Gabriel

Department/Program

Psychology

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The zoo visitor experience and its connection to behavior in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Ellensburg

Most zoos have missions to provide high-quality care for their animals and an enjoyable and educational experience for visitors. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between visitors and gorillas in a zoo environment. The effect of gorilla proximity to the visitor viewing areas on visitor attentiveness was examined in an indoor and outdoor gorilla exhibit. Visitor experience surveys were conducted for visitors exiting the outdoor exhibit. Stepwise multiple regressions revealed group and individual gorilla proximity effects on visitor attentiveness. For the majority of analyses, visitor attentiveness increased as the gorillas got closer to the viewing area, but proximity of two individual gorillas caused decreased attentiveness. Only one individual gorilla, a silverback in a family group, consistently changed positions in response to increases in visitor attentiveness, positioning himself farther away from the viewing area. Visitors answered more positively to survey items concerning their perception of the zoo’s gorillas when they also reported witnessing more active gorilla behaviors, and also showed increased concern about gorilla conservation efforts when they spoke to an employee or volunteer about gorillas. Zoos can use this information to design enclosures that promote more active behaviors in their gorillas and to provide volunteers or employees that can discuss gorillas and conservation issues. This can allow visitors to have more enriching experiences while still limiting any negative effects on the gorillas.

Winner, Outstanding Poster Presentation, School of Graduate Studies and Research.

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Posters/100