Creating Authentic Experiences in Zoos

Throughout history, zoos have provided humans with the ability to collect, maintain, and learn about local and exotic animals. Zoos play an integral role in conserving species, educating a broad population of people, and preserving critically endangered species (Hone, 2017). Modern zoos have continually sought to improve various aspects of the environment by balancing the care and welfare of captive animals and the experience and education of visitors. This effort comes from the desire to promote ideals of research, conservation, education, and entertainment while also establishing a level of value for maintaining animals and their habitats more authentically. “Zoo and aquarium design should not be simply about creating novel ways to house and view animals; it has to serve a greater purpose, one that engages our visitors in our conservation and animal welfare missions” (Chin, 2016, p.1). This study explores interior, semi-interior, and exterior exhibits in Florida zoos to understand the spaces in which visitors interact with animals and to identify further opportunities. The goal of this research is to develop new ways of integrating the aspects of the visitor experience into unique and diverse settings aimed to satisfy the care and welfare needs of animals. Data will be collected through interviews and behavioral mapping in interior, semi-interior, and exterior exhibits within urban and suburban-classified zoos in the state of Florida. The points of interaction within each of these spaces will be assessed for authenticity by recording behaviors and activities relating to both animal welfare and visitor experience. The results of this study will be used to develop a unique design program which considers participation, benefit, and opportunity for animals and people within interaction points in zoo exhibits. The future of zoo design has the capacity to include a growing number of opportunities in which people can engage animals in more authentic circumstances. By studying and employing opportunities within interior, semi-interior, and exterior exhibits, designers can effectively create spaces which satisfy and enhance the visitor experience while simultaneously supporting the needs of the animals. This will create a zoo experience that gives visitors and animals increased variety in their ability to authentically engage one another (Kemper, 2016).