People and Zoos: The Role and Implementation of Direct Human–Animal Interactions in Zoological Establishments

Zoological establishments have five main roles: education, conservation, recreation, research, and provision of positive welfare to exhibited and housed animals. This review highlights the effect direct human–animal interactions had on the non-human animals’ physical and psychological wellbeing in relation to short- and long-term education and conservation engagement and action. The literature was reviewed from worldwide English sources, which focused on welfare, direct animal interactions, and alternative provisions. With over 700 million visits made to zoological establishments annually, only USD350 million in funds were reported to be reinvested into conservation efforts worldwide, with the true outcome and impact of this effort unknown. Currently, the main focal area is recreation, with 75% of those surveyed (N = 1241) worldwide found to offer direct human–animal interactions. This review takes a holistic approach to human–animal interactions and highlights key opportunities that are missed in the delivery method of these. Worldwide, direct human–animal interactions during the last 30 years have had no to limited regulations. Organisations such as Pan-Africa Association of Zoos and Aquaria and British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria aim to regulate and monitor welfare, breeding, and husbandry within collections; however, joining is entirely voluntary. This has led to only 13 zoological establishments in Africa accredited under PAAZA, compared to over 100 establishments accredited under BIAZA in the United Kingdom. This review highlights that clear training plans need to be implemented before and during human–animal interactions with particular focus on feeding time demonstrations, CGI models, film rooms, and no-contact interactive areas. Further research needs to quantify the significance of the taxonomy used in direct interactions.