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9.4 Discussions/Conclusions 177
VetBooks.ir 9.4 Discussions/Conclusions standing whether other taxa and species are
able to discriminate between familiar and
In summary people provide many learning unfamiliar people is crucial. From the lim
opportunities for animals in zoos, whether ited cognitive research undertaken so far on
these are associations learnt as a conse the forgotten taxa, fish, and reptiles have
quence of direct or indirect interactions. been observed to show cognitive complexity
Unfortunately there are limited published (see taxa specific boxes by Burghardt and
empirical data detailing the diverse and Brown in this book) which might lead us to
abundant familiar HAI we know to occur in suspect that these taxa too are sensitive to
zoos; instead the field is mostly populated the different people in their lives. Our work
with data from visitor studies. It seems ing model (Hosey 2008) predicts that famil
likely that zoo visitor–animal interactions iar people are preferred over unfamiliar
are different depending on the context in people, but we need to remember that these
which they occur. Much of the research in forgotten taxa may perceive the world dif
this area has occurred at ‘stand and stare’ ferently from other taxa. For example, pro
exhibits and has been shown to have mostly viding scincid lizards Eulamprus heatwolei
negative ramifications. Though the impact with a novel environment, which is often
of zoo visitor–animal interactions during considered a positive change from a mam
the large variety of other potential HAI mal centric view and indeed incorporates
offered by zoos, from feeding events to many activities performed under the
interactive educational experiences, is less umbrella of environmental enrichment, was
well studied. Most surprisingly, the ubiqui observed to elevate cortisol levels and
tous interactions offered by zoo profes breathing rates denoting stress (Langkilde
sionals to the animals in their care have and Shine 2006). Taking this research to a
been overlooked completely; with the whole new level might include investigating
exception of a handful of studies, which the impact of dyadic interactions between
suggest these interactions offer positive people and their ramifications for animals;
learning opportunities. and what animals might learn from these
We have limited our scope in this chapter dyadic human relationships and the impacts
to the categorisation of familiar and unfa they might have on zoo animal manage
miliar people, but it is likely that some ani ment. For example, there are numerous
mals are able to conduct much more anecdotes, which can also be considered as
sophisticated discriminations within these an area rich in research ideas, that zoo ani
categories. As researchers it is unsurprising mals learn the outcomes of interactions
that we feel more research is necessary in between people in their environment and as
this area! We feel it would not only provide a consequence attend to these people differ
interesting insights in the field of cognition, ently. For example, animals ignoring cues
but also provide vital information which provided by one person whilst another is
would facilitate evidence‐based zoo animal present; ignoring a keeper when the curator
management. It would be particularly inter is present unless the curator supports the
esting and helpful to have better insight into keepers cues, either to the keeper or the ani
the degree to which different species are mal. If indeed the relationships between zoo
able to discriminate between different cate staff can be understood by the animals and
gories of people. Cognitive discrimination impacts on their management that really
tasks have been largely dominated by pri would necessitate some changes in our per
mates, though there is sound research on ception of the cognitive abilities of the ani
birds in this area. Zoos of course maintain mals we care for, as well as our conduct and
many different species and so better under behaviour with our colleagues.
