TRAINING: Exhibit design in zoos

Pedagogical objective

Participants will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles needed to design structural modifications that enhance animal welfare when creating new structures or modifying existing ones.

Skills acquired at the end of the course

• Understand the needs of animals in relation to their environment
• Identify the different objectives and roles of enclosures to better balance: animal welfare, practicality for the team, and public interest.
• Knowledge of safety regulations for animals, workers, and visitors.
• Ability to explain the role and importance of enclosure design to visitors: scenography and landscaping.
• Propose examples of infrastructures adapted to the physical and social needs of species

Course content

Module 1: Stakeholders and general aspects

• Animals, team, visitors
• Construction, renovation, and refurbishments
• Reminder of current regulations as well as hygiene and safety rules
• Energy and environmental impact of installations

Module 2: Presented animals

• Knowledge of species
• Living environment and environmental complexity
• Landscaping
• Case of multi-species enclosures

Module 3: Team

• Impact of layouts on daily animal management
• Safety of installations

Module 4: Visitors

• Visitor-animal interactions
• Scenography and education

Module 5: Planning

• Communication between different stakeholders
• Scheduling and project management

Workshops and practical exercises:

Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of existing enclosures (animal welfare, practical and logistical aspects, visitor perception, safety).

Pedagogical, technical, and supervisory resources

The course includes theoretical contributions, workshops and practical exercises, discussions and feedback. In the training room, the course is led using visual aid (PowerPoint and audiovisual material), while the workshops and practical exercises are carried out within the zoo.

Prior to the training, a preparatory meeting (either via phone or face-to-face) will be held with the supervisors to prepare for the course.

Monitoring and assessment

half-day of course. The acquisition of skills is assessed during the course (training games, role-playing, etc.).

The course is assessed based on its quality and the effectiveness of the instructors, using a questionnaire that each participant fills anonymously. A certificate of completion is issued to each participant at the end of the course.