animaltrouble
New Member
Hi everyone
I recently went on a visit of London Zoo for my MA in Anthrozoology and I now have to write a critical review of the experience.
I know that London Zoo has some limitations i.e. space, which other zoos don't have to contend with and the contrast between Gorilla Kingdom and a large proportion of the other enclosures shows the direction that the ZSL want to take. I personally feel though, that there needs to be some small updates on the other enclosures while they spend years and millions of pounds on the huge exhibits such as the upcoming Tiger Territory.
I haven't been in many years before this visit but there were a few things that I noticed and wanted to get some opinions on so any replies would be gratefully received:
1. Lack of information and updates on animal signs. Fairly certain they haven't been updated since I last went about 6 years ago. People respond to individuality and while anthropomorphism has its negatives it is also part of the reason why people keep coming back to zoo.
2. More interactivity - Such as at Gorilla Kingdom where the visitor is asked to make a conscious decision about a future project. Zoos are partly about educating the next generation and now children have all sorts of technology at their finger tips and exhibits need to reflect that.
3. Signage change while building work is on going (a little and minor niggle but one that meant I walked past the bearded pigs about 6 times)
Anything that you have noticed would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance!!!
I recently went on a visit of London Zoo for my MA in Anthrozoology and I now have to write a critical review of the experience.
I know that London Zoo has some limitations i.e. space, which other zoos don't have to contend with and the contrast between Gorilla Kingdom and a large proportion of the other enclosures shows the direction that the ZSL want to take. I personally feel though, that there needs to be some small updates on the other enclosures while they spend years and millions of pounds on the huge exhibits such as the upcoming Tiger Territory.
I haven't been in many years before this visit but there were a few things that I noticed and wanted to get some opinions on so any replies would be gratefully received:
1. Lack of information and updates on animal signs. Fairly certain they haven't been updated since I last went about 6 years ago. People respond to individuality and while anthropomorphism has its negatives it is also part of the reason why people keep coming back to zoo.
2. More interactivity - Such as at Gorilla Kingdom where the visitor is asked to make a conscious decision about a future project. Zoos are partly about educating the next generation and now children have all sorts of technology at their finger tips and exhibits need to reflect that.
3. Signage change while building work is on going (a little and minor niggle but one that meant I walked past the bearded pigs about 6 times)
Anything that you have noticed would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance!!!
