Resource Library

An intro to the Network to help you understand our definition of empathy, the three types of empathy, and why empathy is an emotion worth fostering in a zoo or aquarium setting.

This document provides examples and advice from ACE participants to those who wish to begin DEAI committees.

This resource highlights several studies that point to the potential role empathy may play in relation to conservation behavior.

Paper on: The Impact of Interpretive Messaging and Animal Handling on Visitors’ Perceptions of Animal Welfare and Empathic Reactions

This resource, created with guidance from the Network’s DEAI Committee, highlights the relationship between effective empathy practices and DEAI initiatives by showcasing different projects from across the Network that embody that relationship.

This toolkit helps zoos and aquariums understand inclusive practices and gain tools for supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals in these spaces

This study aimed to assess connection to nature and humans, using empathy as an indicator, as a predictor of prosocial behavior in ecological and human domains.

This research paper examines the relationship between guests viewing elephants in AZA accredited zoos with their reported conservation intent and perceptions of animal welfare.

This manual outlines Woodland Park Zoo’s intentional efforts to create an inclusive and accessible volunteer program through the development of the Volunteer Inclusion Program (VIP).

This literature scan, conducted by Inform Evaluation & Research for the Minnesota Zoo, explores best practices in wildlife trafficking education and the use of biofacts in zoo programs.

This study tested how two conservation presentations types shifted children's attitudes, empathy, and knowledge about cockroaches. While both presentations reduced negative associations, only the empathy infused presentation increased positive and naturalistic associations of the species.

This list provides alternatives to commonly used words in zoo lexicon that may elicit poor perceptions of wildlife.

This toolkit is focused on responsible consumerism and sustainable holiday shopping. In addition to the toolkit, they have also created a guide on how to spot and avoid greenwashing. 

You can find all of our annual ACE for Wildlife Network Year in Review reports here!

Two instruments administered as a pretest in fall and post-test in spring, one measuring empathy with humans and with animals, and the second measuring affinity toward nature.

The protocol document explains how to conduct observations of visitors, program audiences, signage, and presenters and can be used to collect observation data on paper.