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Zoology

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

2005

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Interpretive Signs Designed To Trigger Naturalist Intelligence At Two American Zoos, Martha Bryant Aug 2005

Interpretive Signs Designed To Trigger Naturalist Intelligence At Two American Zoos, Martha Bryant

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

An investigation of interpretive graphics was conducted in 2005 at two mid-sized AZA-accredited zoos, Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, Florida and Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, Tennessee. The Lowry Park Zoo study investigated signs at a red-tailed hawk and sandhill crane exhibit. Combination signs and wordless signs were more effective helping visitors see animals, increasing holding time, and number of engagements than treatments of no signs, or signs with words only. A second study, at Knoxde Zoo, tested combination and wordless signs in a children's zoo, investigating 31 signs at a 3.5-acre exhibit. Comparisons of visitors seeing the animals/using interactive exhibit elements, holding …