An animal-as-client (AAC) theory for zoo exhibit design

Abstract

The design of zoo exhibits has traditionally focused on the needs of humans. More recently, the needs of animals displayed in zoo exhibits have become a focus. However, there is no theory that describes how designers might consider animal needs, and how these needs might be interpreted in the design process. An animal-as-client (AAC) theory for zoo exhibit design is introduced. The theory sees animal culture as the starting point and focus for the design process, emphasizing the need for animal participation and collaboration. The manipulation of space, time and environmental quality are viewed as critical explorations, while the ultimate suitability of the exhibit is considered in terms of the behavioural aspects of animal welfare. The refinement of the theory is viewed as an ongoing process intended to establish an inter-specific cultural contract adaptive for both humans and animals.

Keywords:

• Design theory
• zoo design
• landscape architecture
• animal culture
• animal welfare

Notes

Correspondence address: Daniel B. Nuttall, 201 Russell Building, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2 Canada. Email: [email protected]

The mandate of the American Zoo and Aquariums Association has, until recently, been recreation, education, conservation and research. The goal of ‘research’ has now been changed to ‘science’.

For the purposes of this paper, in situ, meaning ‘in place’ in Latin, refers to the natural habitat or ‘wild’ setting of an animal.

The term ex situ means ‘out of place’ and in the context of this paper refers to the setting provided for a displaced animal, for example, a zoo exhibit.

The territory is an area that an individual or social group uses exclusively and defends (Richard, 1985). The territory is usually smaller than the home range.

A selection of home range sizes is as follows: blue whale, 100 000 km²; elephant, 14 to 3500 km² (Estes, 1991); polar bear, up to 350 000 km²; chimpanzee, 5 to 50 km² (Estes, 1991).

The life history volume is defined as the average total volume occupied by an animal throughout its life span. The generalized shape of the life history volume is an important component of this concept.

The life history universe is the result of combining the live history composite and the life history volume.

Here, handling time refers to the amount of time for an animal to pursue, subdue and ingest a prey item.

Many animal behaviour patterns (nest building in birds, for example) are innate, meaning genetically based and ‘hard wired’. In other words, animals will attempt to perform these behaviours regardless of the circumstances and without patterning their behaviour after other members of their species.