演講摘要 | Abstracts

人—動物互動（Human–Animal Interactions, HAI）已日益成為研究重點。在動物園與水族館等展演場所中，相關研究常以動物—遊客互動（Animal–Visitor Interactions, AVI）為框架，著重探討動物對遊客、以及遊客對動物之影響。AVI 包含直接與間接互動模式，其中，普遍存在全球動物園的公眾餵食活動屬於直接互動模式。然而，這類更具細緻層次的互動模式，儘管在全球許多園館展區相當常見，卻少見系統性研究。

本演講將詳細介紹公共餵食互動的一些福利科學，包括其在展演場所中的普及程度，以及對遊客與動物之影響的現有證據。尤其將針對以下三個問題進行探討：（1）物種自然覓食行為與公眾餵食之間的關係為何？（2）公眾餵食能否作為一種環境豐富化？（3）哪些因素（例如多場次之公眾餵食）會影響公眾餵食的帶來的結果？上述探討旨在評估如何透過公眾餵食改善動物福利，並進一步思考此類活動如何在提升展演動物生活品質的同時，亦能兼具教育與娛樂之功能。

Human-Animal Interactions (HAIs) have become an increasingly studied topic. In zoos and aquariums, these are often studied as Animal-Visitor Interactions (AVIs), with the focus being on the impact from and on the visitor. AVIs additionally focus on both direct and indirect interactions, with scheduled direct interactions including the use of public feeding events. However, this more nuanced type of animal-visitor interaction has seldom been researched, even though it is a common feature offered at many zoo and aquarium exhibits around the world.

This talk details some of the science of public feeding interactions, including what we know of its prevalence in zoos and aquariums as well as its impact on the visitors and animals. In particular, this talk focuses on three particular questions in relation to the use of public feedings and other scheduled direct animal interactions in zoos: (1) what is the relationship between species-typical foraging and public feedings?, (2) can a public feeding function as a form of environmental enrichment?, and (3) what factors, such as multiple public feeding events, influence the overall outcomes of public feedings? The aim of all the above is to examine what we can learn about improving welfare through the use of public feedings, as well as how such public feeding events might equally educate and entertain the general public while improving the lives of our exhibited animals. 

「大使動物」是指被用於動物表演節目中的動物。如同它的名字，他們的任務是讓觀眾更貼近地認識野外同類的自然史與行為。現代的動物表演應同時兼顧娛樂與教育，以具吸引力同時也更尊重動物的方式來呈現。要達成這個目標，必須經過完整且有規劃的訓練。在訓練動物表現更豐富的行為模式前，所採用的訓練方法也必須以良好動物福祉為第一優先考量。因此，原則上應僅採用正增強訓練（Positive Reinforcement Training, PRT）。PRT 可提供訓練人員有力的訓練技巧並使動物可表現更豐富的行為，既能提升觀眾體驗，也能提供動物的選擇與控制權力。同樣的技巧也可應用於動物日常管理流程中，促進動物自發性配合日常的照護行為與更複雜的醫療檢查。本演講將介紹表演動物的飼養概況與日常作息，並說明如何在不同情境下運用 PRT，以整體提升動物福利。

Animals engaged in performances are often referred to as Ambassador Animals. As the name suggests, their role in the zoo setting is to provide visitors with a more intimate view of the natural history and behaviour of their counterparts in the wild. Modern animal performances by design should be both entertaining and educational, presenting the animals in an engaging and respectful manner. One of the primary means of achieving these objectives is through the inclusion of trained behaviour. The specific training methodology employed to expand their behavioural repertoire must prioritise animal wellbeing as well. Therefore, the exclusive use of positive reinforcement training (PRT) is imperative. PRT provides the tools and techniques to train an array of new performance behaviours, creating impactful guest experiences while fostering increased choice and control. Furthermore, the same techniques are used to gain the voluntary cooperation of animals in daily management routines, husbandry behaviours, and more complex and challenging medical procedures. This presentation explores the unique living conditions and daily activities of performance animals and the many ways in which PRT can be applied to enhance welfare outcomes.

我將首先概述美國展演動物福利的現況；隨後介紹大使動物（Ambassador Animal）計畫及動物—遊客互動（Animal–Visitor Interactions, AVI）在各種展演場域皆適用的核心原則。演講中我將綜整產業現況與動物園界的最新實驗成果，說明何種制度與環境條件可為動物福利奠定穩固基礎。接著，我會回顧相關文獻，整理 AVI是如何影響大眾對異域寵物的興趣與保育觀感，並提出AVI相關影片與實務上建議。最後，我將探討如何利用研究成果作為政策和飼養實務之參考，從而為動物和人類皆帶來正向體驗。演講後相關工具與資源將於線上提供：KatherineCronin.net/tsaws2025。

I will open with an overview of exhibited animal welfare in the United States. I will then highlight principles of ambassador animal programs, or animal-visitor interaction programs, that are relevant across settings. I will discuss the conditions that create a strong foundation for animal welfare, drawing from research across industries and recent experiments in the zoo environment. I will review the literature to synthesize how animal-visitor interaction programs can influence public interest in exotic pet ownership and perceptions about conservation and suggest evidence-backed practices for responsible imagery related to animal-visitor interactions. Finally, I will consider how evidence drawn from research can be used to inform policies and practices that support positive experiences for the animals and people. Tools and resources will be available following the presentation online at KatherineCronin.net/tsaws2025. 

過去數十年來，許多現代動物園及動物園協會共同努力希望終止傳統動物表演的慣例。在過去，動物表演常被用來當成娛樂節目，鮮少考量訓練方法、向觀眾展示的動物行為是否適當（以及這些行為塑造的動物形象），或表演對參與動物福祉的影響。現今仍有許多動物園以「教育展示」的名義，持續進行動物表演或訓練活動，更甚者，所謂「教育展示」之實際教育價值或學習成效，往往缺乏關聯性或實際驗證。本演講將基於遊客體驗、教育需求與興趣調查，探討在現代的動物展示中可納入的多元教育元素，並分析如何優化這些元素以吸引最大遊客參與度。最後，外界對動物園與水族館界普遍存在一種擔憂：遊客體驗與良好動物福利似乎難以兼得。實際上而言，對遊客來說，他們所期望的往往僅是獲得大量動物觀察的體驗而已。由此可之，教育性展示中存在諸多契機：既能提升動物福祉、促進有益適應性行為的動物訓練，又能與遊客興趣及「娛樂性」要素產生交集——而後者至今仍是動物園遊客遊園的主要目的。 

In the past few decades, many modern zoos and regional zoo associations have made a concerted effort to end the practice of ‘animal performances’. Historically, animal performances were used to entertain visitors without much consideration of the methods of training used, the behaviours presented to audiences (and the perception of animals that these behaviours created), or the effects that these performances may have on the welfare and well-being of the animals involved. However, many zoos in many regions continue to undertake animal performances or training sessions, under the more acceptable guise of ‘visitor education displays’.  Furthermore, there is often only a tenuous link between what is classified as ‘education’ and what the actual educational value or learning outcomes are. Drawing on visitor experience, visitor education and visitor interest research, I will discuss different types of educational components that may be included in animal displays, and how these can be optimised to engage the most visitors possible. Finally, there is a somewhat pervasive fear in zoo and aquarium communities that visitor interests are always at odds with animal welfare and animal care. In terms of visitor experience, often what is most entertaining and engaging for visitors is simply the ability to see many animals when they visit a zoo or aquarium. In this sense, there are many opportunities for improving and promoting positive animal welfare and training useful, adaptive behaviours to animals during educational displays, which intersects with visitor interests and the ‘entertainment’ factor that is still often a top priority for zoo visitors.

臺灣動物福利科學學會於去年針對全臺動物展演行業之表演節目進行全面普查，旨在系統性地了解國內動物表演節目的運作模式、動物福利現況及管理流程。本次調查涵蓋多項關鍵指標，包含節目內容、表演動物的飼養管理與訓練、員工訓練、安全規範及教育意義等。陳忠澤博士將於本次短講中分享這些第一手調查結果，為學者、業者及一般民眾提供國內動物表演節目的發展現況。本次短講中不僅呈現客觀數據，更希望結合上午及下午國外動物福利專家分享的專業演講內容，引導聽眾對國內動物表演及互動模式有更深層次的思考。

Taiwan Society of Animal Welfare Science conducted a nationwide survey last year on animal performance programs across Taiwan, aiming to systematically understand the operational models, animal welfare conditions, and management practices within the industry. The investigation covered several key indicators, including program content, the husbandry and training of performing animals, staff training, safety protocols, and educational value. In this short talk, Dr. Chen will share these first-hand findings, providing scholars, practitioners, and the public with an overview of the current status and development of animal performance programs in Taiwan. Beyond presenting objective data, this talk also seeks to connect with the professional insights shared by international animal welfare experts, encouraging the audience to engage in deeper reflection on the future of animal performance and interaction models in Taiwan.