Caring for zoo animals? Human-animal relationship and wildlife conservation in Korkeasaari Zoo: The visitors’ perspective

Abstract

Human-animal relationship is present in animal-based tourism services. Especially, visitor consciousness for animals’ wellbeing has been under consideration in many tourism organizations. Within the field of tourism studies, wildlife tourism and zoos have gained most attention relating to human-animal encounters. Human-animal relationship from social sciences perspective provide a theoretical framework, from dualistic animal categorization, emotional and instrumental human-animal relationship to notion of care towards non-domestic animals.

The research seeks to better understand complexity of human-animal relationship and caring in zoo environment, and how they impact conception of wildlife conservation from zoo visitors’ perspective. Empirical framework is focused on one of the top tourism destinations in Helsinki; Korkeasaari Zoo. The study is employing qualitative methodology and interpretive paradigm. An inductive content analysis is being conducted for 13 zoo visit blog posts discussing conservation and 9 online semi-structured interviews.

The results indicate visitors’ human-animal relationship to be multifaceted, and they showed emotional yet abstract attachment to zoo animals. Even though characteristics were diverse, even inconsistent, animals were considered individuals with feelings and intelligence. A culture of care and responsibility were present. Visitors’ connection with animals enhanced emotional human-animal relationship. These notions should be further addressed in zoo strategies and operations. Animals and their conservation statuses broadened visitors’ understanding on wildlife conservation. Instrumental use of animals was accepted to preserve wildlife. Furthermore, zoos have the tools to enhance visitors’ commitment and participation. Korkeasaari Zoo was a platform to expand visitors’ personal conservation efforts. Otherwise, zoo conservation was considered to have an important but supporting role among wildlife conservation.