The Connection to Other Animals and Caring for Nature

Research in Human Ecology The Connection to Other Animals and Caring for Nature Joanne Vining Human Nature Research Laboratory Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign Urbana, IL 61801 USA1 Abstract and Saunders 2002). Although the panel members (Lynn Dierking, Steve Kellert, Gene Myers, Carol Saunders and In an era in which natural resources are under unprece- myself) only began to answer these questions, their impor- dented pressure, it is vital to ask how the human relationships tance is undeniable. with the natural world might be improved. One avenue of Melson (2001) notes that pets are present in 50 percent inquiry is to explore whether there is a relationship between of European and North American households and that caring for a non-human animal, for a species, and for an Americans spend more than $8.5 billion on food for cats and ecosystem and whether this relationship may be a key to dogs. In the United States, zoos and aquariums draw more encouraging resource conservation and environmental pro- attendance than major league football, basketball, hockey and tection. In most occidental industrialized societies, interest baseball combined, and worldwide, 600 million people visit in domestic and wild animals is intense. Despite a wealth of zoos and aquariums each year (AZA 1999). Moreover, the research on human-wildlife interactions and human-pet importance of wildlife-related recreational activities is strong interactions there is a dearth of work on the connection and growing. Gray (1993) notes that in 1985, 61 percent of between these relationships and interest in environmental Americans participated in non-consumptive wildlife-related protection. In this article, I will address three topics that I activities, with sixteen percent participating in trips to believe are crucial to the understanding of the relationship observe, photograph, and feed wildlife. In 1988, the U.S. between humans and other animals: the split between Fish and Wildlife Service (cited in Gray 1993) estimated humans and the natural world, the development of caring, there are more than 80 million people who feed birds, 70 mil- empathy, and emotional relationships to non-human animals, lion bird watchers, and eighteen million wildlife photogra- and finally the magic, or deep and abiding attraction to other phers. In more recent surveys (U. S. Fish and Wildlife species. These topics are especially relevant to current Service 2002), 31 percent of the U. S. population 16 years efforts by zoos and aquariums as they try to document the and older participated in wildlife-watching activities and 30 impact they have on the lives of their visitors. percent expressed an interest in wildlife around their homes. Finally, we can see the crucial importance of these questions Keywords: human-animal interactions, conservation in the steady stream of bad news regarding biodiversity, psychology, emotion human-caused global change, and the survival of rare and key animal species. Introduction In this article, I will attempt to respond to these questions by reviewing some salient literature, as well as com- In an era in which natural resources are under unprece- ments made during the panel discussion mentioned above. In dented pressure, it is vital to ask how the human relationships the process, I would like to address three key topics that I with the natural world might be improved. A good starting believe are crucial to the understanding of the relationship point might be to explore what is known about how caring between humans and other animals: the split between relationships with nature develop. Is there a relationship humans and the natural world, the development of caring, between caring for a non-human animal,2 for a species, and empathy, and emotional relationships to non-human animals, for an ecosystem? If so, this relationship may be a key to and finally the magic, or deep and abiding attraction and encouraging resource conservation and environmental pro- power of other species. These topics are especially relevant to tection. These questions composed the formidable challenge current efforts by zoos and aquariums as they try to document facing our panel at the first Conference on Conservation the impact they have on the lives of their visitors. Psychology at the Brookfield Zoo in 2002 (also see Myers Human Ecology Review, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2003 87 © Society for Human Ecology Vining The Human-Nature Split How do zoos and aquariums influence visitors’ understandings, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors toward animals, I believe that it is difficult to discuss the genesis of car- wild places, and their environment? ing about nature3 or conservation behavior without examin- Many zoos and aquariums see their educational mission as bring- ing the issue of the split between humans and the natural ing about an enlightened conservation ethic among visitors. However, world. In the occidental industrialized world, our relation- in a recent overview of research, environmental psychologist Robert ships with animals have a somewhat paradoxical quality. On Swanagan (2000, Journal of Environmental Education 31, 4, 26-31) the one hand, we understand that we, along with other ani- commented that research specifically documenting the impact of mals and the rest of nature, exist together as small parts of the conservation messages in zoos, and by extension aquariums, is in its infancy. universe as a whole. We sometimes have a sense of fellow- Recognizing this need, the American Zoo and Aquarium ship with the other beings who share our situation in the Association (AZA) dedicated Conservation Endowment Funds to plan a grand scheme of things and occasionally experience environ- multi-institutional research project (MIRP) that will investigate the mental epiphanies in which we feel at one with the natural overall impact of visits to zoos and aquariums on visitors’ understand- world (see, for example, Chenoweth and Gobster 1990, on ing, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors toward animals, wild places, and their environment. A team of advisors from AZA institu- peak aesthetic experiences). On the other hand, as we contin- tions partnered with the Institute for Learning Innovation, a not-for- ue developing new technologies, we feel less dependent on profit learning research and development organization, to undertake this nature for our survival. One result is that we find ourselves planning effort, with three components: 1) the creation of a literature in the paradoxical position of making moral distinctions review detailing relevant research efforts to date, 2) the development of between the animals that are permissible to eat or kill and a research plan for conducting a series of multi-institutional research projects, and 3) an action plan for implementing the research. those whom we bring into our lives on a more intimate and Findings from the literature review indicated that little to no sys- social basis (Cronon 1991; Serpell 1986). tematic research had been conducted on the topic. What research does Even so, by seeking a relationship with nature, often exist provides some evidence that, while zoos and aquariums may com- through interactions with other animals, we may be able to municate conservation messages, the messages are subtle and short- connect with what is often a spiritual sense of wonder at term, the conditions under which successful communication occurs are complex and poorly understood, and attribution of any direct effects is being part of a vast interconnected network. Levinson and extremely difficult. Mallon (1997/1969) suggested that humans endeavor to Based on these results, the MIRP team identified three research affirm their unity with nature. “[The natural world] gives questions that will help assess the current educational impact of AZA man [sic] a point of reference and support, and to some peo- zoos and aquariums, and help them more effectively communicate their ple, an assuagement of existential anxiety. It appears that the conservation-related messages to the public: 1) Who are our visitors? What are their conservation-related possession of pets symbolizes this unity with nature and thus understandings, attitudes, beliefs, feelings and behaviors satisfies some deep human needs” (6). Muth (2000) echoed toward animals, wild places, and their environment? this idea and suggested that post-modern alienation and exis- 2) What is the overall impact of zoos and aquariums on visitors’ tential angst can be seen in our celebration of pets. understandings, attitudes, beliefs, feelings and behaviors Several authors have proposed that, at an early point in toward animals, wild places, and their environment? 3) What specific strategies can zoos and aquariums utilize to our history, humans were closer, both physically and psycho- influence these impacts? logically, to the natural world than they are now (e.g., Eliade An initial research study (“Assessing the Impact of a Visit to a Zoo 1964; Sheldrake 1999). Campbell (1983; see also Melson or Aquarium: A Multi-Institutional Research Project”), soon to be fund- 2001, Morris 1998, Nelson 1983; Shepard 1993, 1996 and ed by the National Science Foundation, will create a functional taxono- Urton 1985) argues that the primitive human world was my of what zoo and aquarium visitors bring to these institutions in terms of understandings, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors toward ani- replete with animal symbols and spiritual ceremonies. mals, wild places, and their environment. This taxonomy will then be Serpell (1986) notes that early European settlers of North and used to assess the experience and impacts of the visit, particularly focus- South America reported that indigenous peoples kept a wide ing on changes in understanding. Subsequent research will focus on the variety of animals as pets. Others have claimed that the sur- impacts of visits to zoos and aquariums on visitors’ attitudes, beliefs, vival of early humans may have depended in part on main- and behaviors, as well as specific strategies that influence these impacts.

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