Effects of visitor numbers on captive European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and impacts on visitor experience

Abstract

Visitors to zoological collections can have substantial effects on captive animals that vary according to species, enclosure design, visitor proximity, and husbandry methods. One particularly intense form of visitor interaction occurs in immersive exhibits such as walk-through enclosures. Such enclosures are increasingly common but effects on animal behavior are currently understudied. Here, the behavior of captive European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) is studied in relation to visitor numbers in a walk-through enclosure. We also quantify the correlation between squirrel encounters and visitor experience. Interaction with humans increased significantly as the number of visitors inside the enclosure increased. The number of children present significantly increased locomotion and decreased eating, possibly due to disturbance and squirrels moving away from busy areas. By contrast, the number of adults significantly increased eating and decreased inactivity due to squirrels approaching visitors. The positive reinforcement training used by the keepers (offering food rewards to the squirrels for coming to them to allow routine medical checks) meant that squirrels associated adults with food opportunities. Squirrel encounter rate (number of squirrels seen by each group of visitors) was significantly affected by the number of adults and visitor duration (positive relationships) and noise as perceived by visitors (negative relationship). Encounter rate was positively correlated with overall visitor experience. Our results indicate that visitors affect behavior but this effect is influenced by husbandry methods. It is vital that visitors, especially children, minimize noise, and move slowly in the enclosure, both for the sake of the animals and their own experience.

A walk on the wild side: How interactions with non‐companion animals might help reduce human stress

“…Such encounters provide both excitement (at the opportunity to glimpse or have a close encounter with an animal) and an element of peaceful relaxation (through being immersed in a naturalistic environment)—and may often be some of the only experiences some people have of engaging with wildlife (Cox et al, ; Sakagami & Ohta, ). From a zoological perspective, this study also shows that walk‐through enclosures (already noted as being popular with visitors, and reducing conflicts between public requirements and maintaining good welfare: Moss, Francis, & Esson, ; Sickler & Fraser, ; Woolway & Goodenough, ) can also facilitate improvement in health and well‐being of visitors. Critically, the present work provides evidence for human health benefit which does not come at the cost of animal welfare; and may indeed further conservation efforts to extend benefit more broadly.…”

“…Although many factors affect visitor experience in zoos, the extent to which exhibits and enclosures facilitate ‘special moments’ and allow visitors to engage with animals are paramount (Lee, ; Morgan & Hodgkinson, ; Sickler & Fraser, ). The direct animal encounters that are possible in walk‐through enclosures can be a powerful way of maximizing both education and memorable experiences (Fernandez, Tamborski, Pickens, & Timberlake, ; Moss & Esson, ; Woolway & Goodenough, ). Some research has been carried out to examine health parameters after visiting zoos or after engaging with zoo‐based touch tank experiences.…”

The Effect of Behind-The-Scenes Encounters and Interactive Presentations on the Welfare of Captive Servals (Leptailurus serval)

“…Szokalski et al [23] identified higher levels of anticipatory pacing in lions on days involving interactive tours as opposed to non-tour days, supposedly because visitors fed the lions during the tours. It is therefore plausible that the lions as well as the servals in the present study have learnt to associate visitor activities with food rewards [63,64]. The servals typically received diced red meat as a reward for carrying out a certain behaviour on cue during training sessions and encounters.…”

The Impact of ‘Selfie’ Tourism on the Behaviour and Welfare of Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloths

“…For example, research has found that the presence of tourists causes stress and anxiety in non-captive Barbary macaques [ 5 ]; and has a negative effect on the normal behavioural repertoire of dolphins and turtles [ 6 , 7 ], affects fledgling weights of yellow-eyed penguins [ 8 ] and increases the frequency of alert, fear, stress and aggressive behaviours in Asian elephants [ 9 ]. Within zoos, visitor presence has been reported to have a negative impact on the welfare of a range of species including, koalas [ 10 ], European red squirrels [ 11 ], gorillas [ 12 , 13 ] and spider monkeys [ 14 ].…”