Do zoos and aquariums really educate public?

• Position: Animal Abuse - Brief article

A scientific critique questions claims by zoos and aquariums that they are educating the public sufficiently, finding that a key study conducted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is flawed. "There is no compelling evidence to date that zoos and aquariums promote attitude changes, education, or interest in conservation in their visitors, despite claims to the contrary," states lead author Lori Marino, a neuroscientist at Emory University, Atlanta. Ga., and specialist in dolphin and whale intelligence.

"Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors?" is a critical evaluation of a 2007 nonpeer reviewed study widely used by AZA as evidence of zoos and aquariums' educational impact. Marino and her coauthors claim to have found at least six major weaknesses in the AZA study, questioning the accuracy of zoos claims.

"As the public becomes more aware of animal welfare issues, zoos and aquariums are desperately trying to justify holding animals for public...