New research finds that visiting zoos and aquariums can inspire people to live more sustainably
A new study, led by experts from the University of Sheffield, has found that visiting zoos and aquariums can not only educate people about conservation issues but also inspire positive behavioural changes and attitudes for our natural world.
The exciting new study showed that, on average, people know more about conservation, feel more positive about conservation and are more likely to take action after visiting zoos and aquariums. Behavioural changes included things such as checking to see if the products they buy in supermarkets contain sustainable palm oil.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Chester Zoo brought together findings from more than 50 studies in more than 38 zoos and aquariums worldwide to analyse the effect on visitors’ conservation knowledge, beliefs and behaviour.
The new study, which is the first of its kind, will help zoos and aquariums like Chester Zoo to assess how well they are meeting their targets on influencing the people who visit them.
Millions of people visit zoos and aquariums globally, and this creates an opportunity to shape people’s beliefs about conservation and empower them to help protect the environment by making small changes in their lives.
It’s thought that if we can make different decisions around the house or in the supermarket then we can help conserve wildlife and the environment they live in. Even small actions, like avoiding products that contain unsustainable palm oil in the supermarket, can make a big difference.
Xavier McNally, Lead researcher at the University of Sheffield and Chester Zoo Conservation Scholar
Zoos and aquariums aim to educate their visitors and support conservation efforts. With more than 700 million visitors worldwide each year, this study highlights the opportunity that these institutions have to influence how people perceive and act towards conservation.
The findings also show how zoos and aquariums can contribute to global conservation targets set by the United Nations and countries attending the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) as well as empowering people to live more sustainably in the future.
Further research will use methods from psychology and behavioural science to reveal how zoos shape what people think.
Researchers believe people’s behaviour can be predicted more easily if the research measures outcomes such as what people think the consequences of their actions will be or what other people think about them. The next step in this project will involve speaking to Chester Zoo’s visitors to learn more about their beliefs about conservation and ask them what they think about things they can do to help.