Zoo visitation and its implication on wildlife conservation concerns

Abstract

This study explored the role of zoos in creating conservation concerns in visitors with focus on University ofIbadan and ObafemiAwolowo University Zoos,Nigeria. Participants were visitors to these zoos at the time of this study. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered on 100 respondents in each of the selected zoos. In addition, visitation trend from 2004 to 2013 at the zooswere obtained fromthe administrative records. Data were presented descriptively while independent t-test was used in testing the hypothesis. Results indicated that 55.0% of the visitors to the zoos were male with 89.5% within the age range of 15-44 years. There was significance difference in the frequency of visitation to both zoos (t=2.54, p<0.05). The zoo experienceheightened visitors' level of conservation concerns and were willing to educate the general public on the need for wildlife conservation.