Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 3: and it's relevance to the zoo & aquarium sector

 

While the recreational impacts of zoos and aquariums can often be overlooked, decades of research have indicated that the sector can strengthen visitors’ connection to the natural world, help restore positive mental states and assist in the treatment of conditions like anxiety or depression. Particularly considering the ongoing ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering a 25% increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders worldwide – zoos and aquariums, through their connection with animals, have the unique opportunity to foster the health and wellbeing for communities and staff.

That is why, this month, we highlight the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal Three (SDG3), which seeks to “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all.”

Caption: United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, Credit: United Nations 

 

Positive health and wellbeing are essential to the happiness of all species, including humans. The UN’s targets and indicators reinforce that good human health is informed by all physical, mental, emotional, and social spheres of life. Recently, our members have adopted innovative approaches to enhance positive wellbeing through staff and visitor education programs and immersive experiences.

Last year, the National Aquarium of New Zealand (NANZ) helped educate communities about how marine species have been affected by climate change through the art-science installation; ‘The Unseen’. Informed by artist Gabby O’Connor’s research in Antarctica, the work was created by more than 5,000 Kiwi’s ‘unseen’ hands and has been visited by more than 30,000 people from across the region.

As part of O’Connor’s creation process, she hosted workshops for students and communities, led by marine biologists and oceanographers to illuminate the beauty and science of the natural world. General Manager, Rachel Haydon said a project of this scale was very new for the National Aquarium, “but Gabby’s message and methods are so engaging [and] help people understand some of these larger issues the ocean is facing.” Following the final exhibition, the rope artwork was recycled into new community projects, with the cable ties donated to a recycled plastics program that transforms waste into useful objects. 

Caption: National Aquarium of New Zealand 'The Unseen' Art Installation, Credit: National Aquarium of New Zealand

 

 Caption: National Aquarium of New Zealand 'The Unseen' Art workshops, 2022, Credit: National Aquarium of New Zealand

 

In Adelaide, Zoos South Australia have adopted a creative approach to wellbeing, applying the Five Domains model, used to examine animals’ positive welfare, into their visitor, staff, and volunteer ‘Wellness at Zoos SA’ program. Founded on research that regular immersions in nature are linked to better health and wellness outcomes, the program encourages people to “go wild in their search for wellness”. Activities including downloadable sustainability, creativity, and mindfulness maps, GreenDesking opportunities for staff and students and wild walks including bird watching have been incorporated into the site.

Caption: Zoos South Australia 'Go Wild in their Search for Nature', Credit: Zoos South Australia

 

Zoos South Australia also offer an inclusive space for neurodivergent people to connect with nature and experience the benefits of being close to animals. With Autism Awareness Day in April, they reflected:

“In 2022, we began offering Relaxed Mornings at Adelaide Zoo, inviting visitors to explore our space at their own pace with reduced human noises on site (radios, mowers, delivery trucks etc.). With early opening hours and reduced capacities, these sessions are especially welcoming to neurodivergent individuals and their families. Excitingly, our Relaxed Zoo Mornings have now extended to weekly afternoon sessions thanks to $10,000 in support from the South Australian Government. We are very excited to now expand these into our everyday operating hours and will be offering these hours twice weekly for anyone who may benefit from this.”

 

Auckland Zoo’s ‘Wellbeing in Nature’ access scheme allowed communities to further engage in wellbeing and conservation by generously gifting over 20,000 tickets to local Aucklanders. Post COVID-19, this initiative not only strengthened the social outcomes of whānau (family) and local communities, but increased opportunities for conservation, education, and action.

Sarah Thomas, from Auckland Zoo said the scheme provided “equitable opportunities for diverse and often underserved communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to access the zoo for a visit and [build] social cohesion and relationships.”

Caption: Auckland Zoo 'Wellbeing in Nature', Credit: Auckland Zoo

 

TarongaWellness, Wild Squad and Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) are just some of the health and wellbeing programs at Taronga. The longstanding connection our people and community have with land and spirit makes Taronga a safe place to visit to the point that Taronga was recognised by NSW Government as a key location to increase the wellbeing of our community post the pandemic. The community was able to bring the magic of Taronga TV initiative to life. Through Taronga’s Wild Squad program, kids who visit the Zoo can engage in an education program to help them experience nature and wildlife, to improve wellbeing by giving them access to outdoor environments, reducing the time on screens as well as connecting with wildlife to improve emotional resilience. The digital Wild Squad experience also showcases activities for children to undertake in their home, or safely in a natural environment near their home, to provide meaningful and connective experiences and combat nature-deficit disorder.

The TarongaWellness program for its people has been a journey which began over five years ago with mental health first aid training and collaborating in a spectacular zoo environment rather than in closed meeting spaces. The program has now evolved into an inclusive and diverse program lead by staff and supported by senior management. RUOK Day?, men’s health week, and ongoing awareness of healthy habits are just a few of the initiatives which Taronga offers their staff. Taronga is committed to encouraging peer to peer support and consultation in the identification and mitigation of psychosocial hazards in our workplace.

Across the sector, SDG3 targets and indicators can act as a guide to help promote positive wellbeing for all peoples and communities.

Read the guide