Comparing the effectiveness of flagship species in zoo interpretation videos involving dialogic-based narrative approaches.

Zoological institutions frequently engage in indirect conservation activities as global conservation targets suggest a need for raising public awareness and engagement in biodiversity conservation. However, research suggests that while members of the public are typically aware of general conservation issues, they are often uncertain of simple and practical actions they take that will be impactful. In light of current conservation goals and targets, and the need for social science research to address the environmental learning and behavior change gap, this study builds upon prior action-based environmental education research and tests the efficacy of ex situ environmental education in supporting in situ conservation. Zoos typically employ flagship species to center their conservation messaging due to the purported draw of charismatic species. Using outreach videos with a dialogic-based narrative approach, we evaluated the efficacy of different flagships for conservation, comparing both species-focused versus generic conservation messaging and charismatic versus less charismatic species ambassadors. We found that zoo conservation outreach videos using dialogic-based narrative approaches were equally impactful regardless of the level of focus (i.e., species vs. broader biodiversity) or charisma level of the focal taxa.

Wild bears, real bears and zoo bears: Authenticity and nature in Anthropocene tourism.

Within nature-based tourism research, authenticity has received a great deal of attention in relation to existential authenticity and in examining the authenticity of experiences. Yet very little research exists that explores the ways in which tourists perceive wildlife as more or less authentic, as objects in nature-based tourism discourses. This qualitative case study research explores visitors' perspectives in relation to polar bear tourism in Churchill, Manitoba (in situ) and at the Assiniboine Park Zoo's 'Journey to Churchill' exhibit (ex situ) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 'Journey to Churchill' exhibit was built with the intention of representing aspects of the landscape, wildlife and town-site found in and around Churchill, Manitoba. These two sites provide a unique opportunity to compare in situ and ex situ nature-based tourism experiences, since the sites have similar elements such as wildlife species, landscape features and other contextual factors (such as environmental issues and cultural influence). The findings from this research suggests that perceived authenticity of the polar bears, more than the experience, contributes to the construction of learning experiences about climate change. We review the work of authenticity in nature-based tourism and suggest a rethinking of the work of authenticity for both educators and operators in nature tourism. This research has important implications for better understanding how visitors construct their perceptions of authenticity of wildlife and the implications for the ways in which wildlife tourism experiences and authenticity narratives are constructed in Anthropocene tourism.