Visitor engagement with zoo staff and interpretive demonstrations increases visitor stay time in two free-flight aviaries

Understanding how visitors spend time in zoo exhibits is important as zoological facilities work to enhance visitor experience and conservation education outcomes. We explored a variety of factors we hypothesized would influence visitor stay times in two aviaries at Disney's Animal Kingdom (R). Within these aviaries, visitors could utilize educational materials, listen to staff-led demonstrations, or talks, view animal training sessions, or speak directly with animal care or education staff. We observed visitors and recorded the opportunities they utilized in the exhibit. Visitors to either aviary who conversed with exhibit-specific staff stayed between 67% and 89% longer than visitors who did not. In addition, visitors who used a bird guide while in either aviary stayed between 59% and 82% longer than those who did not. Those who listened to an animal care talk or engaged with a staff-led demonstration stayed between 50% and 68% longer than those who did not have the option to participate in such activities. This study provides insight into how exhibit offerings can influence visitor behavior. Implementing strategies used in this study to increase visitors' time in an exhibit may enhance visitor experience and improve learning outcomes. Visitors to Africa Aviary stayed longer when they traveled in larger families, when they could listen to an animal care talk/training demonstration, utilized educational materials, and/or interacted with staff. Visitors to Asia Aviary stayed longer when they interacted with staff, used educational material, and when they did an interactive activity or watched a demonstration/talk.image We observed visitors in two aviaries at Disney's Animal Kingdom (R) and recorded interactions with staff, engagement with staff/animal demonstrations, and utilization of educational materials.Visitors stayed in aviaries longer when they had the option to speak with staff members, listen to or watch an animal care talk or training demonstration, and when they used tangible educational materials (such as a bird guide handout).Group size and composition did not have consistent impacts on stay time in both aviaries.