National poll shows the overwhelming majority of the public agrees that visiting zoos and aquariums encourages people to donate money or time to animal conservation efforts.

SEATTLE - People love elephants, and according to a new national poll, most U.S. adults agree that seeing elephants and rhinos in real life fosters a greater appreciation of these majestic animals.

According to opinion poll results released by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today, 95 percent of U.S. adults agree that visiting accredited zoos and seeing elephants and rhinos helps people appreciate them more and encourages people to learn more about them. Another finding shows that 86 percent of respondents agree that visiting zoos and aquariums encourages people to donate money or time to animal conservation efforts.

“ These statistics support what our members have consistently heard from their guests: People want to see elephants in AZA-accredited zoos because it’s how they learn about, and come to love and care for the future of these wonderful animals,” said AZA Executive Director Sydney Butler. “This overwhelming public support of the value of zoos and aquariums completely belies the extremist views of certain groups that would deny families and children the chance to experience, learn about and care for creatures that need their understanding and help.”

Butler added that: “Accredited zoos and aquariums provide a critical role in helping connect people with animals and nature. We have learned through this poll that people agree that zoos and aquariums not only help them to learn about animals, such as elephants, but that they are also committed to the welfare of the animals. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums care for 800,000 animals daily and are dedicated to providing the best of care, with new and expanded facilities, and the most up-to-date veterinary practices available.

“ In fact, the survey shows that 94 percent of the public agrees that children are more likely to be concerned about animals if they learn about them at zoos, marine life parks and aquariums,” he said, speaking on behalf of AZA’s 211 accredited members.

The poll shows that most adults (95 percent) agree that seeing live animals in zoos and aquariums gives children a greater appreciation for animals. Ninety-three percent of respondents agree that their families enjoy going to zoos and aquariums where they can see living animals up close.

When asked what they felt the role or purpose of Woodland Park Zoo was, in a 2003 research project, nearly all (99 percent of those interviewed) said that it was to teach children and others about animals, and/or to provide opportunities for firsthand contact, as a way to build appreciation for animals .

Woodland Park Zoo’s elephant herd consists of all females, three Asian and one African. “We strive to be a leader in caring for, exhibiting and propagating elephants in zoos, in supporting the conservation of elephants, and in inspiring visitors to care about conserving elephants,” added Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. “However, caring about elephants and all wildlife comes from the heart. No amount of television, Web sites or books can move people to care about animals the way live animals can. People must feel that emotional connection.”

Butler added that he is not surprised to see education identified as a key part of a family’s zoo and aquarium experience. “It is important for people, particularly children, to learn about animals, like elephants, and then turn their experience into an interest in conserving and protecting animals.”

In addition to wanting a fun, safe family experience when visiting a zoo or aquarium , adults (94 percent) agree that zoos and aquariums teach children about how people can protect animals and the places they live. Ninety-five percent said it is either somewhat important or essential that zoos and aquariums present educational materials in an “enjoyable and entertaining manner.”

Following are some additional findings from the new research:

• 96 percent of respondents agree that it is important that people work to conserve animals such as those found in aquariums and zoos.
• 95 percent of respondents agree that many of the successes to save endangered or declining species are at least in part a result of work done in zoos and aquariums.
• 93 percent of respondents agree that it is important that an aquarium or zoo be accredited by a national association.

Methodology
Harris Interactive® conducted the study online on behalf of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums between September 16 and 21, 2004, among a nationally representative sample of 1,102 U.S. adults aged 18 and over. The data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity and propensity to be online.

In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results for the overall sample have a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. This online sample is not a probability sample.

About Woodland Park Zoo
Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. The zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.

Woodland Park Zoo/AZA National Elephant Poll
*Through the 2002-2003 Guest Interview Project, 1200 zoo visitor groups were interviewed regarding their satisfaction with elements of the zoo visit, their motivations for visiting and their perceptions of the role of zoos.

About the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Founded in 1924, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) envisions a world where all people respect, value and conserve animals and nature. AZA currently has 211 accredited members in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda and Hong Kong. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), the 15th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world, is a Rochester, N.Y.-based global research company that blends premier strategic consulting with innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and application. Known for The Harris Poll® and for pioneering Internet-based research methods, Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to help its clients achieve clear, material and enduring results.

Harris Interactive combines its intellectual capital, databases and technology to advance market leadership through U.S. offices and wholly owned subsidiaries: London-based HI Europe (www.hieurope.com), Paris-based Novatris (www.novatris.com), Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan, through newly acquired Wirthlin Worldwide, a Reston, Virginia-based research and consultancy firm ranked 25th largest in the world, and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V

*Wirthlin Worldwide Research, May 2003

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.