PROXEMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEPTION OF CAGE BARRIERS IN ZOO

• Main Author: Maulida, Mala
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/53159
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

ABSTRACTPROXEMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEPTION OF CAGE BARRIERS IN ZOOByMala MaulidaNIM: 27118077(Master’s Program inDesign)Visited as an education center and conservation, zoos are also visited as a recreational destination. These three functions of the zoo are interconnected. In zoos, visitors play the primary financial role. Accordingly, zoo management should ensure their visitors acquire amusing experiences. However, the ever-increasing number of visitors creates a serious problem, in which zoos throughout the world, including Indonesia, should face off negative cases, specifically regarding visitor behaviors, which have impacts on animal welfare. Once their welfare is disrupted, animals who are living in zoos will likely experience stress and illness, and even have to face death. Several previous studies argued that visual or physical barriers could have impacts on visitor experiences and behaviors. As such, it is important that the behaviors and their factors are completely apprehended. Cage barriers function as media which restrict human-animal interactions which are certainly dissimilar in pattern. Usually, animals interact to inform their private space. This research investigates the effect of the perception of cage barrier design on visitor behaviors in zoos. Cage barriers are intended to allow visitors to get desirable experiences and respect animals by not conducting any negative behavior. Therefore, both animals and visitors can enjoy zoos as conservation, education, and recreational centers. Visitor perception and behaviors were assessed using questionnaires, in which we presented six pictures of the most frequently used elephant cage barriers, e.g., dry trench, wet ditch, iron rope barrier, glass barrier, and two watching position, which were dominant and subordinate. 117 respondents responded to the proposed questionnaireswhose results were analyzed using a quantitative method. Findings indicate that the perception of cage barrier design had a significant impact on respondent behaviors, and glass was the most preferred barrier as it enabled visitors to observe elephants closely, drawing their interests and hence prompting them to see the object longer.