Actions of people are causing a spike in the necessary actions to reverse the damage that has been done to both animals and habitats. In the article, “What is Conservation?”, the authors, Peter Kareiva and Michelle Marvier, say, “The distinguishing feature is that in conservation science, strategies to jointly maximize benefits to people and to biodiversity are pursued; it is a discipline that requires the application of both natural and social sciences to the dynamics of coupled human-natural systems” (Karieva & Marvier, 962). Conservation is exceptionally important for the preservation of habitats and the animals that live in them; it is because of people that addressing issues regarding conservation are so important. Legislation like the examples highlighted in the article, “Biodiversity and the Preservation of Endangered Species”, have been passed to protect animals and their rights in terms of conservation; however, while this does aid in the protection, it offers little in the realm of learning about conservation which is where animal programs step in. Zoos, aquariums, and other animal based attractions have decided to integrate concepts of conservation into their teaching for their guests.  Numerous questions can be posed including the question of, “have environment-based destinations for families such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom or local zoo programs, impacted conservation efforts?”  

         An overall shift in the dynamic of programs related to animals and habitats in both animal-based parks and zoo programs has occurred in recent years. Due to recent popular exposes of animal-based parks, it is no longer socially acceptable to have animals on display for entertainment purposes. Programs are indirectly required to provide educational background with conservation messages to provide a lasting inspirational experience for the guests. In the article, “Conservation Connections Matter!” by Martha Parker, the author highlights the changes in the dynamics of zoos and aquariums to focus more on preservation. According to her research, the shift in the goals of animal based parks not only increases the interest of the guest, but also the interest and morale for those employed at those locations. She believed that by giving the employees a purpose in the sharing of these conservation messages there would be increase in work ethic and in their ability to speak passionately about conservation. Also, in the article, “Topical review: The Crucial Contribution of Veterinarians to Conservation Biology”, by Reading, Kenny, and Fitzgerald, it says that from a veterinarian’s perspective, having animals in zoos helps scientists and others to understand the lives of the animals to help them in the long run. Information like this is extremely valuable to the connection between conservation messages that are provided by animal based parks and the people that receive them.

        Conservation starts with the people who are willing to make the change; by seeing an employee or someone encouraging conservation messages on a guest at a zoo, it is more likely that they will take something from that exchange and move forward with it. Messages that are shared by these employees regarding the flora and fauna are of immense importance in expanding the reach of conservation in a changing world. Another example of this comes from an interview with Lisa Danforth, a coordinator for Animal Trail Operations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, she said, “It’s all about encouraging a thought, having a conversation with the guests, and giving them an action” (Danforth). By providing these factors to the guests, one is encouraging them to get involved and to make a difference in the conservation. Including the presence of the animals, along with the connection between the guest and employee (or Cast Member in this case) in encouraging visitors to act towards conservation. Evidence collected proves the methods in which some animal based parks or zoos might take to share their ideas of conservation with those who visit. A connection can be drawn between the experiences people have at these parks and the actions they choose to take at home, or outside of the park.

        Zoos and other environment-based parks see their visitors as a valuable source in sharing conservation messages. An example of this exists within the overwhelming number of children’s programs that exist in these parks all over the world. Many of these places target the younger audience since they are more impressionable in accepting innovative ideas. However, parks also try to rope in the older crowd by catering to them with more real examples and fact. In the interview with Lisa Danforth from Disney’s Animal Kingdom she talked about the use of storyboards providing detailed diagrams, backed with facts, on the animal that is being discussed; these story boards often explain the animal and how they are impacted by the actions of humans. An example she gave was the low land gorilla exhibit, there the storyboards show not only a detailed description of the animal, but also a description of the GRACE, or the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, program that is funded through the Disney Conservation Fund and benefits the gorillas. This is related to a concept seen in the article, “Navigating the Space between Research and Implementation in Conservation” by Anne Toomey, Andrew Knight, and Jos Barlow; in the article the authors discuss the importance creating a connection between those conducting the research and those implementing the research. Evidence based on this relates to the previous claim by providing an example in which they engage people of all ages into learning about the conservation messages these parks are trying to instill.

        Conservation messages are now vital to the survival of countless zoo programs. In return, “Zoos are a living museum. What we learn about them in captivity can help us manage and conserve them in the wild…”, (Borrell 9). By targeting all age groups, they are insuring a well-rounded spread of information. Connections can be drawn to the overall research topic by highlighting how different programs can use different resources to target the different age groups; this provides a specially catered experience to each guest and makes the take away of the experience much more specific to the person.

        Despite the goals of modern zoos to aid in the sharing of conservation messages, in some cases, zoos and animal based parks can water down the educational experiences of those who visit. Often, zoos will water down their educational shows with humor or entertainment factors that are attractive to those who watch. Results in surveys based on this concept prove visitors are only taking away the “fun” elements of the show rather than the educational messages that the show is centered on. In the article “Does more education mean less fun?”, the authors J. B. Mann-Lang, R. Ballantyne & J. Packer state, “…it is important to realize that during a short visit to a zoo or aquarium, it is impossible to achieve all of the above outcomes and expect a long-term change in behavior” (Mann-Lang, Ballantyne & Packer, 162). A statement of this nature was made in response to a study conducted on the success of a show centered on dolphins and the messages they attempted to embed into the show. According to research, there is not enough time to allow visitors to truly grasp concepts involving conservation in shows. As previously stated, while education is one of the primary reasons for attending a zoo, it is not enough to make an impact on those who watch while also trying to keep them interested. Ties can be made between the previously made claim by further proving that no matter how much effort goes into sharing conservation messages, sometimes the information just does not stick with those watching. Based on this there is purely not enough time and the entertainment aspects that are present in the show take away from the messages that are being shared.

        People are interested in places like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld, or even Busch Gardens for the attractions that they have. Visitors attend these parks with the intention of only doing the rides and the animals are more of a bonus. In the interview, Lisa Danforth mentioned how people find it interesting that they have animals to view and learn about; this proves that learning about animals is the farthest thing from their minds. A topic like this tie back into the original research question by providing an example of a way in which zoos and other animal based parks, like the Animal Kingdom, fail to effectively spread messages of conservation.

        By focusing all the attention on the people, it is believed that the desire to spread ideas of conservation takes away from the animals. While zoos and other animal-based parks believe that they are doing the world a favor in preservation, the emphasis of only sharing a message takes away from the once in a lifetime experiences that a visitor could be having with the animals, an experience they might never get to relive. “Captivity for Conservation? Zoos at a Crossroads” by Jozef Keulartz observes the action of capturing animals to put in zoos solely to fulfill the requirement of providing an educational experience for visitors. Based on that, zoos want to appease those who come to visit and bring in revenue; the animals and plants are coming in second when compared to the importance of the visitors. Thus, with the emphasis being removed from the animals themselves, it takes away from the animal to guest experience.

        Another example of a comparable situation is highlighted in the article, “When Conservation Efforts Lead to Slaughter”, by Jan Piotrowski; in this article the author highlights a real-life implication of forcing conservation messages on people resulting in the death of animals due to the inconvenience. Information from this article is applicable to the topics discussed in the article, “Compassion as a Practical and Evolved Ethic for Conservation” by Daniel Ramp and Marc Bekoff, they take the ethical point of view of the killing of animals for the point of conservation. Both pieces of evidence relate back to the claim by showing how conservation can miss the mark when attempting to good in the world whether that be in an animal-based park or in the real world. Park owners would rather have happy guests and worry about what they take from the experience instead of the connection between them and the animals. An obvious goal of these animal-based parks to provide educational experiences for the visitors. While animal welfare is important in a zoo, they place guests in the position for the greatest attention. Connections into the overall research topic can be made by providing an opposing view to the situation; it highlights that not all their efforts are hitting the mark in terms of sending messages regarding conservation.

        While some might see the educational shows put on by zoos or other animal- based parks to be missing the mark due to overwhelming entertainment factors that take place in the shows or that the emphasis on helping people understand conservation takes away from the possible animal experiences, there are several activities that can be offered to urge people to participate in conservation. Since there is an overwhelming focus on making sure that conservation is understood and shared, does not necessarily mean that people are not picking up on the most important aspects of the messages. In an interview with Lisa Danforth from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, she discussed ways that cast members get guests involved in conservation games at the animal stations and through the Wilderness Explorer Program. She talked about the use of props along with facts that they provide to guest in real time with up to date information when explaining the animals and the various conservation projects that contribute to helping that specific animals. Also, in the Wilderness Explorer Program, it targets young children and teaches them to go outside and participate in different conservation activities to collect stickers. All the activities conducted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and similar activities at other zoo programs, aspire to inform people of their environment and ways in which they can help. By targeting simple fixes like recycling or observing plants and animals at their own homes (safely of course) they are increasing their awareness towards conservation efforts. Examples that are provided show ways in which zoos and other animal based parks can contribute to teach messages of conservation while also incorporating fun activities to make what they are teaching more memorable to those that choose to participate in them at all ages. Lisa Danforth stated, “By presenting information that exists in real-time, connecting it to things you can find in your backyard, and by thinking simply on what you can do, guests can be thoroughly engaged in what you are teaching them. Even something as simple as recycling can make a huge difference” (Danforth). This example supports the idea that animal parks, like Disney’s Animal Kingdom or local zoos can impact the way their visitors choose to see conservation through entertaining methods of learning.

        Understanding the dangers of ignoring conservation efforts could lead to future detrimental effects on the world as it is known today. Globalization of the world by humans, tearing down forests, and the displacing of animals are all destroying the sensitive ecosystems that exist on or world and contribute to the balance that exists. By teaching conservation at several levels, to people of all ages, the information that is necessary to reverse these events of destruction towards the environment can be spread to a vast amount of people resulting in expansive knowledge across various populations. Even though some people chose to disregard what they hear, every now and then the information will reach someone that will take it and use it to make a difference resulting in a change that contributes to the overall wellbeing of the world.

        Research reflects the recent focus on zoos and other animal-based parks that have appeared in the media and how they incorporate conservation messages into how they present the animals. More now than ever before, any place that uses the attraction of animals as a source of revenue has been under a close watch by the public; people no longer wish to see animals locked in cages, but to see them as an opportunity. Shifts to a more educationally based zoo experience contributes to how people in the real-world view conservation and share conservation amongst themselves. A chain reaction could be started if the right person receives the information. Ultimately, environment-based locations like zoos, aquariums, or animal-themed parks have the potential to spark a great deal of change in those that visit.

Works Cited

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Keulartz, Jozef. "Captivity for Conservation? Zoos at a Crossroads." Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics 28.2 (2015): 335-51. Business Source Complete. Web. 29 Oct. 2017.

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Ramp, Daniel, and Marc Bekoff. "Compassion as a Practical and Evolved Ethic for Conservation." BioScience 65.3 (2015): 323. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2017.

Reading, Richard P., David E. Kenny, and Kevin T. Fitzgerald. "Topical Review: The Crucial Contribution of Veterinarians to Conservation Biology." Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 28 (2013): 131-34. Edselp. Web. 29 Oct. 2017.

Toomey, Anne H., Andrew T. Knight, and Jos Barlow. "Navigating the Space between Research and Implementation in Conservation." Conservation Letters 10.5 (2017): 619-25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29 Oct. 2017.