Examples of Empathy Projects
Many people and organizations in the ACE for Wildlife Network are incorporating empathy practices into their daily activities.
Zoos and aquariums develop empathy projects and programs that are tailored to their specific needs, their knowledge and resources, and their audiences. Approaches range from the simple and less resource-intensive, to more in-depth.
Whether you're just starting to learn about fostering empathy for wildlife or want to become more involved, these examples of empathy in practice throughout our Network demonstrate a variety of ways this work can be done.
ZooMontana: Improving visitor connection through new animal signage
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![Montana Zoo's updated signage featuring Simpson the wolf, Pabu the red panda, and Leroy the snake.]()
ZooMontana recognized the importance of enhancing habitat signage to encourage more meaningful visitor connections with animals. The zoo updated their signage by adding specific information about each animal, including names and birthdates (if known), details of their rescue history (if applicable), habitat companions, and distinctive personality traits.
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![Example of the revamped signage for Amur the tiger.]()
The revamped signage effectively deepens guest connections with animals: ZooMontana has observed visitors actively engage with signage, referring to animals by name and enthusiastically sharing stories with others in their group. Photo credits: ZooMontana.
Seattle Aquarium: Cultivating future conservationists at Caring Cove
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![Visitors walking around "Caring Cove."]()
The Seattle Aquarium created a "Caring Cove" play space to allow children to develop empathy and practice caring actions toward animals. With six interactive zones, Caring Cove gives kids the opportunity to engage in imaginative play activities like animal check-ups, meal prep for marine creatures, and creating enrichment.
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![Child holding a blue stuffed starfish.]()
By providing an immersive, hands-on experience, Caring Cove builds children's natural empathy skills and helps them think about the perspectives and needs of animals. Additionally, it creates a safe space where children can interact with marine environments, inspiring them to see themselves as future aquarists, veterinarians, and environmental stewards. Photo credits: Susan Fried at the Seattle Aquarium.
Roosevelt Park Zoo: Encouraging visitors to act by recycling electronics
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![Akili, the okapi from the Roosevelt Park Zoo.]()
Years ago, Roosevelt Park Zoo partnered with Eco-Cell for an on-site phone recycling program. Their goal was to raise awareness about the harmful impact of mining minerals for cellphone batteries on wild gorilla habitats. However, the absence of gorillas at the zoo created a disconnect in the signage and generated minimal donations from visitors.
They had the great idea to shift their focus to spotlight a beloved resident okapi named Akili as the face of the recycling campaign instead. -
![Akili the okapai stands in his enclosure.]()
The zoo exchanged a cardboard box featuring gorillas for an acrylic bin showcasing Akili. This allowed visitors to see their recycled phones alongside Akili’s story and signage that emphasized the threat that mining poses to wild okapi habitat in Africa.
By linking conservation programs to animals in their care, the zoo is more actively engaging visitors and fostering a deeper connection with environmental issues. In 2022, visitors filled the bin with phones three times. Roosevelt Park Zoo has expanded the program to include recycling bins for all types of batteries as well. Photo credits: Roosevelt Park Zoo.
Racine Zoo: Building empathy for Madagascar hissing cockroaches through virtual encounters
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![An educator wearing a red t-shirt sits at their computer holding a live cockroach.]()
Racine Zoo engaged 150+ elementary students through live, virtual Madagascar hissing cockroach encounters, with the goal of changing perceptions of these often-misunderstood insects. As part of the program, the instructor asked students to think about their pets’ names at home before sharing details about the personality of the cockroach. The students then brainstormed a name for the cockroach - Georgia - based on this information.
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![Madagascar hissing cockroach eating broccoli.]()
The students were asked at the beginning and end how they felt about Georgia. While initially they showed negative or neutral reactions, by the end, none of the students expressed negative feelings and their attitudes had shifted toward being generally positive. These results showcase how educational encounters that use empathy practices can change views of underappreciated species – especially when people are offered the chance to see an animal’s unique traits in the context of individual experience and perspective. Photo credits: Racine Zoo.
Henry Vilas Zoo: Enhancing visitor experience with empathy-driven animal fact sheets
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![Example of the empathy-driven fact sheet for a lion.]()
Henry Vilas Zoo decided to refresh their animal information sheets which were an important tool for staff and volunteers to use when sharing animal facts with visitors. The zoo worked with keepers to incorporate stories about featured animals that emphasized personalities, behaviors, and individual needs.
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![Example of an empathy-driven fact sheet featuring a snake.]()
By incorporating personalized animal profiles into their fact sheets, Henry Vilas enhanced visitor interaction with animals in their care and propelled the zoo's conservation education mission forward. The success of the fact sheets has inspired over half of ACE for Wildlife Network Partner Organizations to create similar resources. Photo credits: Henry Vilas Zoo.
Woodland Park Zoo: Inviting perspective-taking through kea enrichment
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![An educator points to a photo of a kea while families view a puzzle-making activity.]()
Woodland Park Zoo created a hands-on opportunity to foster connection with the zoo’s keas TepTep and Jean Luc through an animal enrichment program. Child and adult guests are given supplies to make puzzles for these highly intelligent birds, before walking over to see TepTep and Jean Luc enjoying their puzzle enrichment activity.
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![A child with blond hair wearing a tie-dye shirt reaches into a kea puzzle box.]()
The program allows guests to use their empathetic imagination, taking the perspective of TepTep and Jean Luc and understanding the keas’ needs in a tangible way. It’s also an educational opportunity: guests are acting in a caring way towards keas while learning about how the zoo cares for animals.
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