Elephant in the break room: The use of modified Operational Sequence Diagrams for the determination of zoo exhibit inefficiencies

Although human factors has been applied to situations involving animals, it has not been formally used in zoo exhibit design. Zoo exhibits with their varied, and possibly conflicting, goals of three distinct user groups present a unique opportunity to apply human factors to improve the design process. Treating zoo staff, visitors, and animals as co-workers, each with input into the exhibit system, allows the design process to be optimized in order to maximize efficient use of time and better meet the needs of all users. Ideally, well designed exhibits will maximize animal welfare while increasing the efficiency and safety of zoo staff. Additionally, exhibits should enhance the visitor experience, allowing them to connect with the exhibit and learn from it, ideally by viewing species-typical behavior. The current paper uses a novel approach, a modified Operational Sequence Diagrams, to examine the needs of the zoo system. This methodology is used because of its flexibility and ease of understanding for zoo personnel not trained in human factors. An example diagram is provided for scatter feeding in an elephant exhibit.