• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2012

Zoological parks are considered to be a recreational place for family outings and most importantly the starting place of contact with animals in the modem society. Due to environmental threats and the loss of wildlife habitats, the zoos have significant roles to play in education, research and conservation in addition to the traditional role-entertainment, but research on zoos and their visitors is very limited in Korea. The present study surveyed that the zoo visitors' perceptions of the role of zoos, satisfaction, and behaviors in 6 public zoos, during which 730 zoo visitors were interviewed. The results indicated that the zoos represent an opportunity for family-based trips, enjoyment with family or friends and education that are the primary motives for visiting the zoos. The findings demonstrate that respondents considered the four main roles of zoos namely conservation, education, entertainment, and research to be important and recognize its value for conservation and environmental education. The determinants of satisfaction of zoo visitors were ease of visibility, welfare of captive animals, and the availability of information. Most respondents believed that naturalistic exhibits and animal welfare were very important. In order to reinforce the roles of the zoo in modem society, multidisciplinary efforts are needed to improve the animal welfare, replicate native habitats, and develop various education programs.