Displaying, Conserving, and Hoping to Understand: Conservation Messaging and Anthropomorphism in Zoo Great Ape Exhibits

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Description
Though controversial in its utility to the scientific study of nonhuman animals, anthropomorphism, or the attribution of human characteristics to a nonhuman being, is omnipresent in our interactions with other animals. Anthropomorphism is undeniably a fixture of modern zoos, but

Though controversial in its utility to the scientific study of nonhuman animals, anthropomorphism, or the attribution of human characteristics to a nonhuman being, is omnipresent in our interactions with other animals. Anthropomorphism is undeniably a fixture of modern zoos, but how anthropomorphism relates to zoos’ contributions to conservation is unclear. In this dissertation, I investigate these potentially dueling, potentially overlapping, messages within great ape exhibits in accredited zoos. Given the complexity of both anthropomorphism and conservation, this dissertation reveals some nuances of how both play out in zoological spaces. Human psychology literature on anthropomorphism indicates that there are a variety of uses for this lens that benefit humans; from feeling we can understand a confusing animal action, to feeling social connection. Whereas the comparative psychology literature highlights a contested utility of anthropomorphism in studies of nonhuman animals. The main findings from this study are four-fold. Firstly, surveys conducted with zoo visitors show that many bring anthropomorphic beliefs with them on their trek through the zoo. Visitors are prone to viewing great apes as strikingly like humans in terms of emotions, emotional expression, and understanding of the world. Secondly, surveyed zoo visitors who agreed more with anthropomorphic statements also agreed more with statements about feeling interconnected with nature. Thirdly, there is no uniform understanding within the zoo community about how zoo exhibits do or should contribute to conservation efforts given that exhibits have multiple goals, one being the safety and wellness of their animal residents. Fourthly, interviews of zoo staff show that they mediate a variety of messages for zoo visitors and walk a sometimes-divisive line between when it’s acceptable to use anthropomorphic framing to discuss zoo animals and when it’s inaccurate. By leveraging a better understanding of these attitudes and relationships, zoos can further empower their staff to navigate these complex issues and improve their mission-based goal of promoting conservation outcomes by acknowledging the human practices embedded in our perceptions of and interactions with zoo animals. This work speaks to the importance of carefully considering the ways we understand animals in zoos, in the wild, and all the places in-between.
Date Created
2024
Agent

Perception Matters: Shark Conservation

Description
This research dives into the media’s influence, population tracking, new conservation methods, and previous studies to support the thesis that creating a positive public perception of the animals will help reduce shark finning and overfishing. Provisions and solutions provide inspiration

This research dives into the media’s influence, population tracking, new conservation methods, and previous studies to support the thesis that creating a positive public perception of the animals will help reduce shark finning and overfishing. Provisions and solutions provide inspiration for what we can do to reduce the overfishing and finning of sharks.
Date Created
2023-12
Agent

American Sentiments in H.R. 503 (2006)

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Description

Many Americans are sentimental about horses and believe that American horses deserve special treatment under the law for their important roles in American culture and history. In 2006, the House of Representatives passed a bill, known as H.R. 503, to

Many Americans are sentimental about horses and believe that American horses deserve special treatment under the law for their important roles in American culture and history. In 2006, the House of Representatives passed a bill, known as H.R. 503, to end horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S., and the following year in 2007, the horse slaughter ban began in the U.S. In this paper, the ineffectiveness of the horse slaughter ban to protect unwanted horses in the U.S. is demonstrated. More horses have been transported to less-humane slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada, and more horses have been abandoned, abused, and neglected in the U.S. since the horse slaughter ban began. It is important to consider how American sentiments about horses contributed to H.R. 503 to better understand the ineffectiveness of the horse slaughter ban. People who were in favor of H.R. 503 relied on animal rights arguments, which tend to be more emotional than animal welfare arguments, by appealing to American sentiments about horses. The public increasingly believes that animals have rights. If animal rights activists do not find ways to protect unwanted animals, their ideas can infringe on animal welfare.

Date Created
2023-05
Agent