AE Grant Showcase 2024: Cultivating Empathy through Staff Development and Guest Programming Enhancements – Fostering Empathy Through Enriched Experiences

Dakota Zoo present their project, “Cultivating Empathy for Wildlife through Staff Development and Guest Programming Enhancements.” This project developed staff communication and presentation skills to improve keeper chats, training demonstrations, zoo camp presentations, animal encounters, behind the scenes tours, and classroom visits. (1:05-28:46) Roosevelt Park Zoo presents their project, “Fostering Empathy Through Enriched Experiences,” which was a staff development project that evaluated the effects of enriched experiences on animal behavior, and subsequently, the effect that these more active and engaged animals have on guests’ attitudes toward animals, their perception of animal well-being, and their intent to take caring action. (28:46-55:13)