The animals that like visitors at the zoo - and those that want you to stay away
Telegraph
23-05-22 07:00
Elephants in zoos are happier when visitors come to see them, according to a study from Nottingham Trent University and Harper Adams University. The research, which analysed more than 100 papers looking at visitors' effect on more than 250 species, showed that elephants reduced repetitive behaviours indicative of boredom, showed increased foraging and decreased inactivity levels after public feedings. Penguins, jaguars, grizzly bears, polar bears, cheetahs, servals, banteng and black-tailed prairie dogs were among the other species that showed positive responses to being viewed. Hedgehogs and frogs preferred to be alone, but only amphibians had negative responses more than chance.