Evaluating the impacts of theatre-based wildlife and conservation education at the zoo

Abstract

The experience of visiting a zoo as a child can be remembered decades later and potentially influences future environmental attitudes. In light of steadily growing criticism of the ethics and value of live animal shows, some zoos are seeking alternative means of delivering ‘edutainment’ to a broad audience. One such alternative is through theatre. We examine whether a family-orientated zoo theatre performance achieved animal knowledge and conservation awareness impacts. Impact was demonstrated if individuals correctly stated more animal and conservation facts post-performance compared to pre-performance. The theatre production was seen to have a very strong positive effect on both children’s (pre-performance s.d.=1.69, post-performance s.d.=1.79 effect size (d)=0.70, w = 4403.5, p ≤ 0.001) and adults’ (pre-performance s.d.=1.88, post-performance s.d.=2.14, effect size (d)=0.71, w = 1931.5, p ≤ 0.001) learning. Significantly more correct answers were given post-performance compared to pre-performance. We conclude that educational, family theatre can effectively deliver animal information and raise awareness of conservation efforts within a leisure setting. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of theatre on conservation actions. Comparative studies between live animal shows and theatre could establish the best methods for conveying conservation information to zoo visitors.

Keywords:

• Children’s learning
• conservation theatre
• environmental education
• puppets
• anthropomorphic

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/J500215/1].

Notes on contributors

Sarah Louise Spooner

Sarah Louise Spooner conducted her PhD research at University of York evaluating the effectiveness of zoo education provisions. She is a former school teacher and zoo education officer.

Eric Allen Jensen

Eric Allen Jensen is a senior lecturer at the Social Sciences Department, University of Warwick. He specialises in visitor experience, impact and evaluation research.

Louise Tracey

Louise Tracey is a research fellow at the Department of Education, University of York and previously worked at the Institute for Effective Education, York. She specialises in literacy and evaluation research.

Andrew Robert Marshall

Andrew Robert Marshall is an associate professor at University of Sunshine Coast, Australia and a senior lecturer in the Environment Department, University of York. He specialises in biodiversity conservation science and statistical methods.