A typical visit to the Woodland Park Zoo offers the public an opportunity to see bears, zebras and elephants in natural settings while learning about the value of conservation and protecting the environment.

According to a new study "Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter: Visitor Impact Study," going to an accredited zoo in North America has a measurable impact on the conservation attitudes and understanding of adults.

The findings were the result of a three-year research project by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

"Through our own research at Woodland Park Zoo, we are seeing a steady increase in the impact on knowledge and attitudes that our exhibits have on our visitors," says Deborah Jensen, Woodland Park president and CEO.

For instance, the zoo's Butterflies and Blooms exhibit, which closed for the winter last week, helps people understand the role of the colorful insects in their backyards.

"This study clearly shows that visitors believe that accredited zoos and aquariums are deeply committed to animal care and education and that we play an important role in species conservation. These findings enhanced our goal to build America's largest wildlife conservation movement," says Jim Maddy, president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Phinney Ridge resident Maria Peele has been a volunteer at the Woodland Park Zoo since 1997. She grew up in the neighborhood and has pictures of herself at the zoo when she was three years old. Back in 1941, Peele says there was no fence surrounding the zoo and admission was free.

The animals were in small old-fashioned cages. The famous apes Bobo and Fifi lived in a room with trees painted on the walls in a crude attempt to simulate the jungle and a glass window for the public to observe them.

"People came to see exotic animals, there was not as much emphasis on what was happening in the wild," says Peele. "The whole focus was to exhibit the animals. The new focus has changed to education and conservation."

Now the zoo's philosophy is to place animals in their natural habitat. The apes can now roam free in an open area that duplicates their natural environment with trees to climb.

The zoo was skeptical of the concept at first.

"But it did work. These are natural habitats where animals are comfortable and live in a more natural way," says Peele.

The Woodland Park Zoo has won awards for its pioneering work in creating naturalistic exhibits and helping to set international standards for zoos all over the world.

There are over 700 volunteers working in all aspects of the zoo. They help carry the conservation message to the public.

Peele started as a Zoo Ambassador giving general directions, telling visitors about animals and otherwise helping them enjoy their time at the zoo.

A retired children's librarian, she went on to be a docent, serving more as a teacher with school programs and giving guided tours. Peele does clerical work in the animal health center and is a keeper in the gorilla unit.

When baby gorilla Akenji was born, his mother would not take care of him. Peele was enlisted to hand feed the ape.

"It was wonderful to have that much contact with the baby gorilla," she says.

As a librarian, Peele often read animal books to kids.

"They have a natural fascination with animals," she says.

In her role as docent, children ask Peele how the gorillas live in the wild, what they eat and if they are aggressive.

"Kids are learning in school (about animals) and with a lot of television shows on endangered animals," says Peel. There are many summer education camps at the zoo for children to further the animal awareness.

In Mongolia and China, people have hunted snow leopards for their fur but are now they are encouraged not to. They are being given an opportunity to make slippers, toys, place mats and other items that zoos in America sell. These products are available for purchase at the Zoo Store at the Woodland Park Zoo.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums 210 member facilities draw 143 million visitors a year.

Almost half of zoo visitors participating in the study says they had more awareness of the role of conservation as a direct consequence of their visit. Forty-percent commented on the important role zoos and aquariums play in education.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in conservation, education, science and recreation.

Dean Wong may be contacted at 783.1244 or dinoo@robinsonnews.com