DEVELOPMENTAL FACTORS IN POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD ZOO ANIMALS

Research suggests that attitudes toward animals are established through childhood experiences. Currently, educational wildlife experiences for most urban children are available only at zoos and wildlife parks. To clarify the cognitive and emotional effects of distance, visibility, and tactile stimulation generated by various ways of exhibiting animals, 308 parents and their 3- to 7-year-old children were interviewed in Main Zoo and Petting Zoo areas. Children at Petting Zoos spent more time watching, touching, and talking to the animals than at Main Zoos, demonstrating that, even when live animals are very close and visible, children are significantly more interested when they can touch, pet, or cuddle. Parents felt that touching and petting were extremely important in teaching respect and appreciation for all animal life.