Thinking imaginatively on the theme behind a specific zoo exhibit
First we had ‘the Lions’ or the Reptile House’ , then after a century eventually we moved to ‘Africa’. Finally we sometimes have exhibits that represent a particular habitat or even an ecological issue.
But surely a given zoo exhibit could be on anything at all to do with the animal world…? Not just a particular group of animals, a particular part of the world or type of habitat. After all our colleagues in the museum world are not limited to the above when they propose a new exhibit (ion). These are always organised around a challenging idea.
Why not an exhibit on sex in the animal world? The first ‘adults only’ project at a zoo…!!!?? With Bonobo …what else?
Or, even more interestingly, a display that asks visitors to consider all of the various, and very varying , relationships between human and non human animals , provoking debate but without taking sides. It could feature a display of farm animals ( referencing but not of course reproducing factory farming, it could show rats and how we treat this highly intelligent but pestilential creature. It could refer to good and bad use of companion animals. And of course laboratory animals…
By offering a a space to meditate on a whole number of hugely imporant issues arising from the animal world, zoos would gain a new credibility and serious place in society
Is a zoo exhibit, not in one sense, just a medium of communication, comparable to an exhibition, a TV programme or even a publication..?
2 Responses to “Thinking imaginatively on the theme behind a specific zoo exhibit”
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Again I agree with you and I would further state that exhibits need to become more interactive. By this, I mean that zoos should have more keeper talks, behavioral demonstrations, visitor participation type of scenarios, etc. People obviously still crave animal information, as evidenced by programs on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and other media outlets. These programs are typically fast-paced, action-oriented, and ‘glossy.’ What is a visitor to think of an average zoo after watching those programs? Static exhibits, verbose signage, ‘out of order’ computers at “interactive” stations, and animals asleep by the score. Boring!
@Matt Schamberger: So what do You suggest? Poke the sleeping animal with a stick or throw items to make the “boring” more interesting? Stage animal fights? Virtual shooters? There are zoos that offer this kind of “fast-paced, action-oriented” and summa summarum “highly educational” entertaiment some seem to used to due to recent developments of TV channels like “Discovery Channel”-many of them are located in China, Thailand or other Asian zoos and do precisely convey what most Western visitors consider a “modern” zoo. But one doesn’t have to go to Asia to see similar shows (Sea World, anyone?)…”Out of order” signs in zoos can indicate two things: 1. The interactive apparatus is too deliberate and 2. the zoo lacks money to finance its repair. Similar problems due to that also arouse when demanding “more interactivity”.
There are and have already been theme-based displays in zoos worldwide-Miami MetroZoo’s “Scoop on Poop” being one recent example. It’s a good idea and not the youngest (see David Hancock’s reflections on more emphasis on Biology Diversity…), but alas is the portrait of different zoogeographical habitats (although I wish it wouldn’t always be the same like East/South African Savannah, South American Rainforest etc.).
About the demand for more interaction: sure, but keep in mind that
a) not every zookeeper and every animal is suited for that type of “glossy” shows. I’m drawing the line as soon as the whole show aspect is becoming uncomfortable and harmful for the animals or/and the people involved.
b) based on the individuals doing those shows, the quality of information offered differs vastly and the educational imprint on the audience might be no different than that of Your normal circus show.
c) more interaction includes not too rarely also more human-animal direct encounters. While this direct contact surely has some disadvantages, it also has ist advantages, too: opportunities triggering aggression between animal-human, more often human-animal, but also animal-animal (fighting for offered food) and spread of zoonoses, either anthropozoonotic and zooanthroponotic.
Modern zoos can certainly do more when it comes to informing & entertaining the zoo audience-but while asking for changes, one should not forget to keep reality in mind and offer practical suggestions.