Patterns of Visits and Impacts of Zoo Animals on Visitors

ABSTRACT

The patterns of visits to the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden was studied retrospectively within a four-year period (2002–2005), followed by a year-long survey of the zoo with the aim of assessing the impacts of the animals on visitors to the zoo. Annual visit to the zoo was 95,107 with children making 74% of this population. The peak periods of visits were in the months of December and January as against the lowest turnout usually observed between July and October. The animals were of educational benefits to the visitors; connected with the visitors' prior knowledge and experience; related with the visitors emotionally and; conferred on them the need for the conservation of natural resources as well as the need for peaceful co-existence in human populations. The outcome of the study provides a platform for effective planning and assessment of the level of visitor attractions to the zoo.

Key words:

• zoo visitors
• impact
• animal behaviour
• attractions