SD36: The effectiveness of tactile outreach experiences for non-charismatic invertebrates

Experience-based outreach can have a stronger impact on a person’s attitudes and beliefs than one based on only providing facts. Ambassador animals are commonly used in experience-based public outreach. The term “ambassador animal” is typically used to refer to an animal housed full-time at a facility and habituated to being around people, such that it can be used for outreach or education. The “Rosie Experience” at the Butterfly Pavilion, in Brighton Colorado allows guests of the zoo the opportunity to hold a live tarantula. Tarantulas, like most spiders, suffer from a “public image” problem and are seen as uncharismatic fauna. Guest of the Rosie Experience exhibit was asked about their beliefs and views about spiders before holding Rosie, then again six days and six months after folding Rosie to assess the effectiveness of a tactile, interactive outreach experience with non-charismatic fauna. A hierarchical model of cognition was used to provide a way to understand the public’s views about spiders and how to effectively educate them about invertebrate conservation, and if physical interaction like the one provided by the Rosie exhibit, can be more effective at changing a person’s attitude toward a species than ambassador animal exhibits that allow visitors to only view the animal.