Music at zoos

[La Cucaracha]

1. Fine in public areas, eg cafes, gift shops, where it can be a calming background. Not fine if it hypes people up, especially children.

2. Fine if in association with mock human habitation associated with an immersion exhibit, for instance African music as you pass through an African village entering an African exhibit area. Needs to be done well, though.

3. Not fine in association with an animal exhibit, ever, any more than "elephant temples" or such are OK. Animals should be presented in their environment. (on occasion human habitation might be their environment, though).

4. Background sounds found in nature may be acceptable, again if done well.

I really would have enjoyed watching the lions at San Diego Safari Park without the loud, fast-paced recorded drum music.

 

[Ituri]

1. Fine in public areas, eg cafes, gift shops, where it can be a calming background. Not fine if it hypes people up, especially children.

2. Fine if in association with mock human habitation associated with an immersion exhibit, for instance African music as you pass through an African village entering an African exhibit area. Needs to be done well, though.

3. Not fine in association with an animal exhibit, ever, any more than "elephant temples" or such are OK. Animals should be presented in their environment. (on occasion human habitation might be their environment, though).

4. Background sounds found in nature may be acceptable, again if done well.

This is exactly what I came here to say. Thanks for outlining it so clearly @MRJ

 

[Wanderer]

3. Not fine in association with an animal exhibit, ever, any more than "elephant temples" or such are OK. Animals should be presented in their environment. (on occasion human habitation might be their environment, though).

If it's in an exhibit building (such as an aquarium) and the animals are behind glass, I don't see a problem.

 

[MRJ]

If it's in an exhibit building (such as an aquarium) and the animals are behind glass, I don't see a problem.

It would very much depend on what type of music. A heavy base might create vibrations that are transferred through the glass. Music that excites might stir up children, increasing the likelihood of them running riot and yelling and screaming etc,, thus making the experience unpleasant for others. Running the "Jaws" theme around sharks, for instance, may reinforce peoples fear of sharks and their believe they should all be exterminated.

Calming background music may be fine. But at the end of the day, why? Are not the animals enough?

 

[Jambo]

3. Not fine in association with an animal exhibit, ever, any more than "elephant temples" or such are OK. Animals should be presented in their environment. (on occasion human habitation might be their environment, though).

Werribee used to play Kenyan village music on portions of their safari tour. Always struck me as odd although I believe to be fair, it was in conjunction with their 'beads for wildlife' campaign.

 

[Wanderer]

It would very much depend on what type of music. A heavy base might create vibrations that are transferred through the glass. Music that excites might stir up children, increasing the likelihood of them running riot and yelling and screaming etc,, thus making the experience unpleasant for others. Running the "Jaws" theme around sharks, for instance, may reinforce peoples fear of sharks and their believe they should all be exterminated.

Calming background music may be fine. But at the end of the day, why? Are not the animals enough?

If it's soothing ambient music, it can have the effect of making people feel like they shouldn't raise their voice too much (though that probably won't work on children).

The argument of "are the animals not enough" can also be applied to theming (which I'm not a fan of) or just anything that makes the exhibit pleasing to see from the visitor's perspective. Ultimately yes the animal is what matters most, but you can showcase the animals in a way that makes the encounter feel special for the visitors.

 

[merlin]

There are not many things I dislike about Zlín zoo, but there are some. And one of them is the music.
There is a really loud music playing at the viewing area at the rhino exhibit. I'm someone very sensitive to loud noises and so I can't bear standing there for longer than a minute or two.
There's also music playing at the jaguar exhibit. Again, very loud. I'm trying to visit zoos on weekdays and I avoid visiting Zlín during summer holiday, but that does not mean there are no people with me when I go. And thus it can be really uncomfortable, standing there, surrounded by people talking and with the loud music in the background. It's only instrumental, but still annoying.
But what annoys me the most is the music at the Kerala walk-in aviary! I'm there to enjoy the birds, their calls and everything, not to listen to music! The worst thing about the music being played at Kerala is that I can feel the very strong vibrations, since the song basically goes dun-dun-dun.
On the other hand, I aprecciate the music playing at the Japanese garden, because it's not that harsh and actually complements the atmosphere of the place.
I also enjoy the music played at the African village in Dvůr. Especially since it's not only one song being played over and over. And it makes sense to me to play music there, since it's mostly an area where you can buy some food or an ethnical souvenir.

 

[DCzootripper]

I don't mind it if they turn it off when the Zoo shuts, like at Penguin beach at London zoo, they play Samba Music throughout the day, but turn it off at night. This is good because it means that even if the penguins don't like it they do not have to listen to it after closing.

 

[cornu aspersum]

that even if the penguins don't like it they do not have to listen to it after closing.

If the animals do not like something, they shouldn't have to experience it at all unless it's absolutely necessary (medical procedures, etc). Although, I don't know if the penguins in London have any problems with the music.

 

[DCzootripper]

If the animals do not like something, they shouldn't have to experience it at all unless it's absolutely necessary (medical procedures, etc). Although, I don't know if the penguins in London have any problems with the music.

I completely agree with your statement, and if the penguins did have an issue with it that was known, I would be against them having the music on, but as there is no evidence to prove that they are against it, then it is fine by me.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

The Columbus Zoo is awful when it comes to music. The main circle of the zoo has the same 7-8ish upbeat instrumental songs that play on a loop the entire day. During Halloween they do repetitive Halloween songs, anr during Christmas it's the same 5 pop Christmas covers. Thankfully this doesn't extend into actual animal areas, but incredibly annoying nonetheless.

 

[KevinB]

In general I do not like music at zoos. I personally think that well-thought out planting and item are much better at setting an atmosphere and giving the impression of being in a very different part of the world.

At my local zoo, Planckendael, and at Pairi Daiza there are places where I personally, as someone who has some issues with sensitivity to sounds, where the music is too loud and irritating.