THE MODERN ZOO - HOW DO PEOPLE PERCEIVE ZOO ANIMALS

Despite the recent growth in scientific attention focusing upon human- animal relationships, very little research has been conducted in relat ion to the human experience of, and relationship with, zoo animals, In order to assess how the general public perceive zoo animals, a street survey questionnaire was used (Study 1, n = 200). In addition, a seco nd study was carried out within Edinburgh Zoo, during which 216 zoo vi sitors were interviewed to establish their perceptions of toes and the ir animals. The results of Study 1 indicate that conservation is gener ally considered to be the main role of the zoo today, that the general public outside of the zoo environment have a number of negative perce ptions of zoo animals, such as them being bored and sad, and that thes e perceptions are affected by age and sex of respondent, By comparison , actual zoo visitors, in Study 2, appear to have a more positive perc eption of zoo animals and a greater awareness of the value of environm ental enrichment. It appears that zoo visitors are influenced by the v isual messages that they receive as they move throughout the zoo envir onment.