Animal–Visitor Interactions: Where Do We Go from Here?

Authors

• Eduardo J. Fernandez
• Claudia C. Martinez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• James Edward Brereton
• Andrew Moss

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-26-2026

Abstract

Simple Summary: Animal–visitor interactions (AVIs) involve the impacts of zoo animals and visitors on each other. AVIs have become one of the most studied research topics in zoos, in part because of the ease with which non-intrusive observational studies of AVIs can be conducted at a zoo. However, although current observation-based AVI research is relatively easy to conduct, it lends itself to certain limitations, particularly as a result of the lack of diversity in the species studied and the means by which AVI research is often conducted. As a result, this paper looks to suggest new directions for future AVI research, which could include staff considerations, greater species diversity, and new methods and metrics used within AVI research. The inclusion of such variables for study are considered, particularly as they relate to our understanding of AVIs in zoos.

Abstract: Animal–visitor interactions (AVIs) involve the study of both the impacts of zoo visitors on animals (visitor effects) and those of animals on zoo visitors (visitor experiences). In the last century, particularly in the last few years, AVIs have become an increasingly studied topic within zoos. However, most of this research has focused on correlational studies of the visitor effect on the behavioral welfare of mammal species. In this paper, we discuss additional considerations for future AVI research that could assist in how we study AVIs, including research incorporating: (1) animal–staff interactions, (2) non-mammalian species, and (3) improved methods and metrics used. With all three, past and potential future research are considered, including what might help in incorporating such factors. Thus, the goal is to provide the reader with a better understanding of additional AVI research factors worth consideration, as well as offering a path forward for how to advance and expand our AVI research efforts.

Comments

© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.

Recommended Citation

Fernandez, E. J., Martinez, C. C., Brereton, J. E., & Moss, A. (2026). Animal–Visitor Interactions: Where Do We Go from Here? Animals, 16(19), 3035. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16193035  

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Animals

DOI

10.3390/ani16193035