Zoological institutions have always struggled to gather support for their conservation efforts due to the various ethical dilemmas perceived by the public (Milstein, 2009). Present-day zoos must carefully balance their funding to ensure enough is allocated to keep visitors excited and engaged, while also conducting conservation work and caring for often costly animals (Carr & Cohen, 2011). Many people do not realize that their support through visits to zoological parks is crucial for keeping zoos open, allowing them to care for their animals and contribute to conservation efforts and species survival plans worldwide. Research shows that visitors with a previous positive experience at a zoo are more likely to support conservation efforts than those who had a negative experience or did not visit a zoo at all (Godinez & Fernandez, 2019). This study aims to answer whether exhibit design elements, such as size, vegetation density, and material types, directly influence visitor emotions, perceptions of the zoo, and perceptions of animal welfare. A total of 187 surveys were collected from visitors at three AZA-accredited zoos in Michigan, providing insight into the relationship between enclosure design characteristics and visitor satisfaction and emotions. The main findings reveal that animal affinity is a strong factor in visitor experience, but that certain design aspects, like exhibit scale, vegetation density, and material choice also have strong impacts on visitor emotions and perceptions of zoo design. Future research should explore broader geographic contexts, diverse exhibit types, and the long-term impact of educational interventions on visitor perceptions. Understanding these factors can aid zoos in refining their strategies to enhance both visitor experience and conservation messaging.
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