How do we plan for the zoo exhibit of the future?

Abstract

Zoos regularly build new exhibits, many of which cost millions of US dollars. It is important that exhibits deliver from an animal, visitor, and staff perspective. It is rare for zoo exhibits to be quantitatively assessed, including trialing of exhibit design, even though this is common practice in the museum sector. This paper highlights the potential value of using modern welfare science for improvement of current and future zoo exhibits. Specifically, we categorize this into two areas of interest: (1) assessment of current exhibits and their impact on animal welfare, including through the use of (a) newer welfare metrics and (b) recent zoo research areas of interest, such as animal-visitor interactions, as well as (2) the use of pre-design evidence-based methods to prototype exhibit components, or what we refer to as Temporary Exhibit Design (TED). The goal is to evaluate and design exhibits that are optimally tuned to animal welfare, visitor experience, financial cost, data collection, and animal care staff considerations.