Encouraging visitors to maintain silence during their trips to the zoo can enhance their appreciation for the animals and create more enriching, respectful, and educational experiences, according to a recent study.
Encouraging visitors to maintain silence during their trips to the zoo can enhance their appreciation for the animals and create more enriching, respectful, and educational experiences, according to a recent study.
The researchers believe that increased silence would help people notice the natural surroundings and animal behaviors more effectively.
Being quiet and respectful could foster a deeper concern for the animals and the efforts of zoos in conservation. The authors argue that zoos can be spaces for both entertainment and peaceful enjoyment.
The research was conducted by Alexander Badman-King, Tom Rice, Samantha Hurn, and Paul Rose from the University of Exeter, along with Adam Reed from the University of St Andrews.
The study included experimental silent visits to zoos in South West England. A significant number of participants indicated they would consider paying extra for specific quiet times during their visits.
Those who participated in the silent visits, part of the Listening to the Zoo initiative, often noted that the quiet environment allowed for a meditative, mindful, and relaxing experience, enhancing their engagement with the zoo’s setting and benefiting their overall wellbeing.
Dr. Badman-King commented: “Quiet moments provide opportunities for enjoyment and fun, and they align well with the educational and conservation goals of zoos.
“If we frame zoo visits as a respectful opportunity to appreciate animals in captivity while learning about their wild counterparts’ challenges, it shifts the focus away from the traditional notion of a ‘fun day out’ at the zoo.
“Zookeepers pay careful and quiet attention to the animals, setting an example for the appreciation we hope to promote through this cultural change.
“It’s crucial not to misinterpret this suggestion as an odd insistence that zoo visits should be joyless. While it is important for zoos to inform visitors about harsh realities, they also reveal the incredible beauty and wonders of the natural world, showcasing the amusing, adorable, and sometimes intimidating characteristics of various species. An attitude of appreciation, which naturally includes quietness, is better suited to this complex array of experiences than a typical noisy atmosphere at the zoo.”
Professor Rice added: “By fostering an environment where visitors can focus more on the animals, plants, settings, and information available in zoos, these institutions can provide a much richer and more valuable experience than they currently do.”
The study suggests that promoting quieter environments in zoos could help return them to their original role as sanctuaries for calming overstimulated minds, offering benefits for human visitors’ health and wellbeing, as well as for many animals residing in the zoo. However, implementing such changes will need proactive efforts from the zoos themselves.
The Listening to the Zoo project was funded by the ESRC and took place in zoos in Bristol and Paignton.