Between 2012 and 2015, Chester Zoo and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) successfully coordinated a project that measured the positive contribution of world zoos to helping achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 1.The research concentrated on the impact of a zoo or aquarium visit on what we termed ‘Biodiversity Literacy’ – that is, the understanding of the term biodiversity and ability to name actions they could take to conserve it. More than 30 global zoos in 19 countries (including institutions from all continents bar Antarctica) and over 10,000 zoo visitors participated in this research.
The main findings of the study were very positive; namely, that biodiversity literacy in zoo visitors significantly increased over the course of zoo visits. These people, on average, tend to end their visit with a greater understanding of what biodiversity is, as well as the ways that they personally can help protect it. In sum, world zoos and aquariums are helping to achieve Aichi Target 1.
From 2018 onwards, we are developing a more detailed indicator of Aichi Target 1. This indicator will not only include visitor knowledge, but also values, attitudes, connections to nature as well as pro-conservation behaviours. We will use automated social survey technology to provide an indicator that is cost efficient and sustainable over the longer term, as well being able to produce results in real-time to allow full flexibility in the analysis of this time series. Our indicator will be flexible enough to adapt to any anticipated future changes to this target, and any other related targets.