Zoos housing large, iconic animals see more visitors: Study

Zoos where large, iconic animals like rhinos, tigers, and bears reside see more visitors, according to a study which suggests housing peculiar species can be an alternative for zoos to attract more people, and help conserve biodiversity.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, noted that it is usually difficult for zoos to accommodate large animals since they take up a lot of space and resources, meaning relatively few can be housed.

According to the researchers, including those from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, alternative strategies to encourage visitor attendance include the housing of unusual animals.

"While having big charismatic animals is one way to gather an audience, having a more unusual collection of species is an alternative way to drive gate receipts and with them conservations fund," said Kevin Healy, co-author of the study from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Citing an example, the researchers said a collection of many different butterfly species or threatened amphibians may also boost visitor counts.

According to co-author Yvonne Buckley from Trinity College Dublin, the study provides "global evidence to suggest that zoos don't need to compromise their economic viability, and entertainment value in order to have a significant value to conservation."