Introduction to Benefits of a Zoo Visit

Recreation is an important part of everyone's life. Research indicates that individuals as well as society as a whole benefits from recreation (Driver & Schreyer, 1989). For individuals, an important benefit of recreation is better health. Godbey (1991) reports that benefits include increased physical fitness, reduced stress, reduced substance abuse, increased self-esteem and improved health.

Zoos as Sources of Recreation

Zoos are an important and popular source of recreation. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association reports its members had 134 million visitors in 1998. This attendance figure is more than the professional baseball, basketball and football attendance combined.

Zoos, and similar facilities, such as aquariums, have a long history of providing recreational opportunities. For many years, these institutions were part of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) . Eventually, the need to expand their emphasis of the issues of conservation, science, and education resulted in a split from the NRPA in 1971 to form the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Association (AAZPA). The AAZPA recently changed its name to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Even with the separation from the NRPA, the AZA charter includes an objective for participating members to promote recreational opportunities for all visitors (Boyd, 1993).

Zoo History

Zoos have not only been important sources of recreation in modern times, but they have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. What began as places of entertainment for certain privileged individuals have become places of not only recreation but also of education, conservation and research. Possibly the earliest zoo collection was in Arpachiya, which is modern day Iraq, in approximately 4500 BC, where pigeons were kept for exhibition (Gold, 1988). The clearest record of early animal exhibition is approximately 2500 BC. The Mohenjo-Daro civilization in India used elephants for work and for exhibition. The Egyptians used animals for many domestic purposes, including exhibition but also for worship. The types of exotic animals placed on display included antelope, lion, baboon, and mongoose (Fisher, 1967; Sedgwick, 1988).

While these earliest zoos kept animals for entertainment, the Greek's began to seriously study animals from 700 BC to 400 BC. Aristotle did extensive research on animals, and wrote a book entitled, The History of Animals in about 340 BC. One of his star pupils, Alexander the Great, acquired such an appreciation for animals that he brought many animals back to Greece from his campaigns to the East (Fisher, 1967).

For hundreds of years before the Roman Empire, animals were primarily used for entertainment of royalty, or presented as a tribute to rulers. The Romans initially observed and displayed their animals, as did their predecessors. However, they eventually used animals for public entertainment by staging fights between animals, fights between gladiators and animals, and the spearing of animals by the viewing audience. This means of entertainment quickly depleted the area's animal population, requiring large animal collection trips to replenish the supply (Fisher, 1967; Zuckerman, 1980).

For nearly 400 years, no notable collections of animals were recorded. It was not until the 12th century that records indicate that King Henry I of England collected several different kinds of animals in Wookstock, near Oxfordshire. The different animals included lions, leopards, lynx, camels and owls (Fisher, 1967; Gold, 1988).

The development of zoos did not reach America until 1864, when the Central Park Zoo in New York opened. This zoo allowed animals to be viewed by individuals unable to visit them in their native environment. Before the end of the century, 17 more zoos were opened. By 1937, there were 57 zoos in the United States, making it a leader in the zoological world (Livingston, 1974). Zoos have been a great source of entertainment and recreation for many centuries.

Therapeutic Value of Animals

Zoos are not only great sources of recreation; research also indicates positive health benefits when people and animals interact. Several treatment programs were begun using animals for their therapeutic value. The York Retreat, of York England, founded in 1792, is the first recorded center using animals for the treatment of individuals with mental illness (Cusack & Smith, 1984).

Scientific research on the therapeutic benefits of animals to humans was not done until the 1960's and 70's. Dr. Boris Levinson, a New York psychiatrist, provided the first published article on the use of his dog Jingles, in the treatment of a young patient. The patient had been unresponsive to Dr. Levinsons treatment. However, upon arriving to a treatment session early he met the doctors's dog, Jingles. The patient went to the dog and while petting him began to tell Jingles about his problems. Dr. Levinson was able to communicate to the patient as if speaking to the dog. After several sessions the patient then communicated with the doctor directly and was successfully treated (Cusack & Smith, 1984).

Not only do animals have positive affects for people in treatment programs but also to an individual's health when they interact with animals in a variety of circumstances. Several studies over the years have revealed that people experience a lowering of blood pressure when petting animals. The University of Pennsylvania did one of the best known studies back in 1980 (Cusack & Smith, 1984). Their research showed that people's blood pressure, respiration and heart rate increased when they came in contact with other people. However, when a person touched a familiar or non-threatening animal, their blood pressure, respiration and heart rate decreased.

Other studies have shown that watching fish in an aquarium has a positive effect in lowering blood pressure. The research showed that after the patients watched fish at a dental office that not only was their blood pressure lowered, but they needed less pain killing medication during their dental examination and surgeries (Kamberg, 1989).

Not only have people benefited in areas of less pain and better health, but also in the speed of their recovery from surgery and other hospital treatments. The Columbia Hospital of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Children's Hospital in Denver and Stanford Children's Hospital allow visitation of pets with their owners who are hospitalized. These hospitals recognized that the animals help speed the recovery of those individuals (Nelson, 1986).

As the research has indicated, animals increase the mental well being of individuals through their companionship, and physical health benefits such as lower blood pressure. Another important benefit humans receive from animals is emotional such as security, and increased self-esteem because of their non-critical attitude toward people (Angier, 1983; Arkow, 1984; Cusack & Smith, 1984).

Zoos and Accessibility

In order for individuals to participate in a recreational activity, such as visiting a zoo or aquarium, they must have the personal freedom to choose whether to participate or not (Orams, 1992). Unfortunately, many Americans do not have this freedom because they are disabled. Programs, policies and facilities have created barriers that prevent participation by individuals with disabilities (Bedini & McCann, 1992). Their disabilities plus the compounding restrictions made by individuals within society creates situations that prevent or restrict personal freedom in choosing recreational activities.

Research on Zoo Accessibility

How these facilities are doing, was part of a research project conducted in 1995. Members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association were surveyed about their accessibility. To participate in the survey, the members had to be in good standing, open to the public and located in the U.S. Of the 151 members that met this criteria, 98 or 65% returned their survey.

The findings provided mixed results. The data indicated a high level of accessibility of adaptive programming for people with disabilities. (See Table 1) 65% of the respondents have provided some sort of adaptation or modification of programs to make them more suitable to their participants with disabilities.

Programs designed for people with disabilities or the elderly, had a much lower positive response. 34% of the respondents had developed programming for people with disabilities. While a slightly higher percentage, 40%, said they had developed specific programming for the elderly.

The use of auxiliary aids to assist a visitor with a disability had a mixed response rate. (See Table 2) The use of ramps (87%), wheelchairs (80%) and signage (54%) were the highest aids listed. The remaining auxiliary aids listed were 23% or lower.

Staff training concerning assisting a person with a disability were provided by less than a third (31%) of the respondents. Of the facilities that did offer the training, only 26% required their full-time staff to attend and only 14% required the seasonal staff to attend. In addition, when the training was offered, less than 25% dealt with how to assist a specific disability.

Related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a high rate of facilities indicated that they had attended a seminar, workshop, or conference session (73%). While the selection of a key staff person to disseminate this information and be responsible for compliance to ADA standards was also high (70%).

The use of or development of an advisory group had a positive response rate of only 33%. Facilities that used resource groups or individuals to assist with accessibility seem to have a higher level of ADA compliance and overall accessibility than facilities that did not have this assistance (Lorenzini, 1992; Ricciari, 1992; Weinstein, 1992).

Questions concerning the development of a barrier removal plan received a positive response of only 44%. (See Table 3) Physical barriers were listed by the greatest majority of respondents (94%), followed by public amenities such as restrooms and parking spaces (38%), signage (18%), exhibits (9%), public telephones being too high (6%), and cue lines too long (3%).

A major problem with the lack of compliance and access is the threat of lawsuits against zoo and aquarium facilities. With only two out of every five of the respondents having developed a barrier removal plan, this puts the remaining facilities in violation and thus in position to be fined by the Department of Justice and/or sued by individuals with disabilities such as has been experienced by other public accommodations (Celis III, 1993; Erlich, 1993; McCormick, 1993; McGovern, 1994; Shoop, 1994; Sneiderman, 1993; Spayd, 1994; Stussman, 1990; Stussman, 1993; "U.S. Urged to Prod Theaters", 1993).

While zoos and aquariums are required by law to become more accessible, the 1995 survey indicates that more work needs to be done. A 5 year follow up survey is planned for 2000 to indicate if any major changes have occurred since 1995.

Zoos and aquariums have been and will continue to be popular sources of recreation. Issues concerning accessibility of these institutions have kept people with disabilities from having the freedom to choose a zoo or aquarium as a recreational source. The passage of laws, such as the ADA, will open up opportunities for people to visit and enjoy a zoo or aquarium. Accessibility barriers throughout the institutions must be removed. The decision to visit will then be based, not on an accessibility barrier, but on their own personal freedom to choose their recreation activity.

Note

The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
ncpad@uic.edu
(800) 900-8086 (voice and TTY)
(312) 355-4058 (facsimile)

Books

1. Zuckerman, L. (1980). Great zoos of the world : Their origins and significance. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.
2. Philip Arkow (Eds.). (1984). Dynamic relationships in practice: Animals in the helping professions. Colorado Springs, CO: Alamesh: The Latham Foundation.
3. Boyd, L (Eds.). (1993). Zoological parks and aquariums in America: A directory. Wheeling, WV: American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
4. Cusak, O. & Smith, E. (1984). Pets and the elderly: The therapeutic bond. New York: The Hayworth Press.
5. E.L. Jackson and T. L. Burton (Eds.). (1988). Understanding leisure and recreation : Mapping the past, charting the future. PA: Venture Publishing.
6. Fisher, J. (1967). Zoos of the world. Garden City, New York: The National History Press.
7. Godbey, G. (1991). The Future of leisure service: Thriving on change. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
8. Don Gold. (1988). Zoo: A behind the scenes look at the animals and the people who care for them. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books.
9. Bernard. Livingston. (1974). Zoo animals, people, places. New York: Arbor House.
10. Sedgwick. (1988). The peaceable kingdom: A year in the life of America's oldest zoo. New York: William Morrow.

Magazines

1. Erlich, R. (1993-06-28). Squaw Valley is test case for Disabilities Act. The Christian Science Monitor. 12.
2. McCormick, B. (1993-02-22). AIDS patient claims hospital violated ADA, "dumping" law. Americans Medical News. 13.
3. Orams, M. B. (1992-02-01). Peace, leisure and recreation. Park and Recreation. 54-56.
4. Ricciardi, A. L. (1992-10-19). Complying with ADA: A tall order for hospitality industry. Travel Weekly. 29, 33, 36-37.
5. Shoop, J. G. (1994-05-01). Obese women sues movie theater under disabilities law. Trial. 94.
6. Angier, N. (1983-04-01). Four Legged therapists. Discover. 87-89.
7. Lorenzini, B. (1992-05-20). Accessible Restaurant: Employee accommodation, The. Restaurants and Institutions. 150-151, 154, 158, 162, 166, 168, 170.
8. Weinstein, J. (1992-04-08). Accessible restaurant: Public accommodations, The. Restaurants and Institutions. 96-98, 102, 104, 110 &117.
9. Kamberg, M. (1989-05-01). Pet Prescription., The. Current Health. 10-12.

Newsletters

1. McGovern, J. N. (1994-03-01). Two ADA warning shots: Day camps and playground surfacing. Illinois Park and Recreation. 25 (2).

Newspapers

1. Spayd, L. (1993, September 27). U. S. urged to prod theaters. Wall Street Journal.
2. Spayd, L. (1994, April 2). Couple accuses theater chain of violating disabilities law. Washington Post.
3. Sneiderman, P. (1993, November 18). AIDS case funeral ban draws ire. Los Angeles Times.
4. Celis III, W. (1993, July 28). Wheelchair warrior lays siege to schools. New York Times.

This fact sheet was last updated on 12-21-2005.

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