There's No Business Like Show-Business....How About Zoos?

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foz

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How important is the role in entertainment in modern zoo???

Is there any spectacular extravagant showy stuff in zoos (im thinking disney land stye)?

I think entertainment is the staple for zoos, however much they dont like it. After all the average visitor is there for a nice day out to see some animals. I think that zoos are indenial about there role as entertainment, and rather market themselves as a centre for serious conservation (which it might very well be, but the average visitor does not go to see a serious centre of conservation but rather go to see zoos as an attraction). Basically the average conversation about visiting a zoo goes like this:
"hey kids! lets go to the zooo!" - mother/father/guardian

"yayy! we can see the cheeky monkey" - Kid 1 (closely folllowed by jumping around, scratching armpits and monkey sounds)

"and then the tiger eats the monkey!" - Kid 2 (followed by roaring and attempting to playfully kill the sibling)

"then we can go to the theme park!" - mother/father/guardian

"woooooo!" - Kids together

Rather than the conversation that would seemed to be prefered by zoo marketing

"Oh dearest the zoo has got alpine newts, we simply have to go! they are very rare and im sure our entrance fee will be a valid contribution to the conservation of species." - someone

"yes we simply must! and we can also learning about the mating habits of a siamang whilst we are there!" - someone else

There are alot of people in conversation 1 and not alot of people in conservation 2 who are avaerage visitors. (by the way any similarity with real life is purely coincidental ) there is nothing wrong with wanting to visit zoos for entertainment and I would support this.
 
looking back I dont think I've made myself clear.

I wanted to know the extent to which the role of entertainment is the premier role with in zoos. also whether people agree with the use of them-park rides and theme park styles.

Would these opnions stretch acorss the genre of entertainment as a whole? for example would you express the same view about a rendition of shakespeare then a roller coaster?


the ficitonal conversations above are just to illustrate the point that the majority of zoo goers are there for entertainment rther than conservation.

I hope its all a bit clearer now. please inform me if it isn't
 
Think I understand the question;

I have to agree, entertainment is why the average visitors go to zoos. During their visit though it is hoped that they learn something.

I think that big Disney land type shows even have a place in education and conservation, like tell kids a big black and white "fish" in the ocean is going to become extinct, would they care? tell a kid Shamu is going to be hunted to extinction and I think the reaction would be very different.

Getting to know an animal ambassador at a zoo is as important as breeding programs in my opinion. Kids learn to respect wildlife and understand its worth in a world increasingly separating from the natural world. If they carry this respect with them into adulthood and teach their kids the same respect its one small step closer to a better world.

It has its bad points too of course, but over all a necessary evil and sacrificing a few animal ambassadors for these shows to save the species as a whole in the wild is a very small sacrifice in my opinion. (if only it was that simple though)
 
I think visitor's need to be entertained or wowed, and it's an important, as if the zoo/animal park succeeds in this, the visitor will come agian, spread the word etc, this meaning the zoo will revcieve more money to spend on conservation, new exhibits. Simple stuff like quality of food, and good viewing, is a form of entertaining guests, zoos/animal parks don't need to give animal shows (shamu etc). But going against my last sentence, if say a zoo put an "Elephant Display", 1 the visitors are truly wowed, as most of the people i see that have gone to Blackpool zoo, they always say, whenever i'm trying to encourage them to visit again, say, "Oh yes i loved that place, do they still do that amazing elephant show?, me and the kids learnt so much!". And 2, the shows (nowadays) give educational lectures during shows, which is far better than the signs provided as only a few visitors read them when i go. So, i don't know? but i suppose entertainment is a vital part of zoos.
ChesterGemsbok
 
Here is my experience with American Zoos (of all sizes in every part of the country). Basically, any large zoo is expected to have some kind of show while smaller zoos are not. Most shows are just bringing out a series of animals and watching them perform a natural behavior, while person on stage explains that behavior. Some zoos do bird-only shows like this (Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, etc.). Others have a variety of birds and mammals (San Diego Zoo, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, etc).

I have only seen one all-reptile show, at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (in a new auditorium that opened a year or two ago). There are probably others, but that is the only one I have personally seen.

San Diego Zoo has added a new show for their summer nightime zoo where they combine live animals with large screen projected images. I have not seen it myself, but there was quite a line to get into the ampitheatre last summer when I was there. I think all of the above are great, but I am not a fan of the Sea World type shows.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Here is my experience with American Zoos (of all sizes in every part of the country). Basically, any large zoo is expected to have some kind of show while smaller zoos are not. Most shows are just bringing out a series of animals and watching them perform a natural behavior, while person on stage explains that behavior. Some zoos do bird-only shows like this (Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, etc.). Others have a variety of birds and mammals (San Diego Zoo, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, etc).

I have only seen one all-reptile show, at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (in a new auditorium that opened a year or two ago). There are probably others, but that is the only one I have personally seen.

San Diego Zoo has added a new show for their summer nightime zoo where they combine live animals with large screen projected images. I have not seen it myself, but there was quite a line to get into the ampitheatre last summer when I was there. I think all of the above are great, but I am not a fan of the Sea World type shows.
Click to expand...

Why don't you like the "SeaWorld" type shows? I love them! As youv'e all probably learnt, i am very much for animal shows, and animal performances are at their best in "SeaWorld"! EE (Educational and Enjoyable, just some stupid thing i made up)
 
I guess I prefer seeing the presenter as an animal expert, not the second mate on a pirate ship with his walrus sidekick. I do NOT doubt the quality of care Sea World performing animals receive, it's just the general presentation that is a bit cheesy. I have not been to Sea World in about 20 years and if I never go back for the rest of my life I will be quite content. (Surprisingly, I really like their sister park Busch Gardens).
 
Most zoos recognize that they must present a mix of education, entertainment, and great animal displays to keep guests coming through the front gate. Gone are the days when the guests just wanted to stare at the monkey. Children have come to expect to be entertained 24/7. Five minutes of down time and the child is fussing about being bored. The challenge then for zoos is to educate in an entertaining fashion. Instead of telling the children to look up to see the birds in the rainforest we assign them roles as "scientists" and ask then to go on a "field study". They still learn but they get the added fun of role-playing. If the sea lions "play games" during a show that talks about their natural habitats while reinforcing behaviors trained for husbandry or medical purposes who cares? Guests still learn but with a smile on their faces as opposed to a vacant , glassy-eyed stare.
 
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