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Several Zoo Animals Appear to Enjoy Hanging with Human Visitors
New research suggests zoo visitors boost morale for elephants and more, especially during feeding times
Over the years, I’ve discovered that my birthday (January 25) is one of the best times to visit the zoo because more animals are out and about in the cooler weather. Whereas the animals are more sluggish in the summer’s heat and lay around in the shade. But I’ve always felt a little conflicted about zoos.
On the one hand, the idea of any animal being held in captivity feels wrong and pangs my heart. On the other hand, I understand the value of teaching people about wildlife and for researchers to learn more about the animal kingdom. Over the last few years, experts have studied boredom in animals held in captivity, and the repetitive behaviors associated with it, fairly extensively, and we’ve learned quite a bit. Thankfully, we’re also learning how to improve it.
Animal Boredom
If the last decade of research has shown us anything, it’s that we most definitely are not the only animal to experience boredom. Although I think any pet owner knows this already. Then in 2017, the journal Animal Behaviour published a game-changing paper by Charlotte C. Burn from The Royal Veterinary College…
