Connection to Nature in Zoos: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research

Zoos play a crucial role in environmental education, yet research on their impact on visitors' connection to nature remains limited. This systematic review examines empirical research on connection to nature in zoological institutions and compares its development to the broader field of connection to nature research. We conducted a systematic search in Web of Science, ProQuest, PubMed, and ERIC in January 2025, following PRISMA 2020 standards. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed empirical studies assessing connection to nature in zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, or similar institutions. Of 82 identified articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria after screening and full-text review. Most studies employed quantitative approaches: four studies used the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale, one used the Nature Relatedness Scale, and one used the Nature Connection Index, while the remaining studies relied on brief ad-hoc items, open-ended questions, or qualitative approaches. Sample sizes varied widely, and most studies were conducted in Western countries, particularly the United States (n = 5), Germany (n = 2), and the United Kingdom (n = 2). One study came from China, and one multi-country study came from South America. Findings were mixed: while most studies reported an increase in visitors' connection to nature following zoo visits or educational interventions, some studies found no significant effects. However, research in non-Western countries, the use of validated measurement tools, and mixed-methods approaches are still lacking. We conclude that zoos offer substantial but insufficiently used potential for fostering visitors' connection to nature. Future work should prioritize collaborations between zoos and academic institutions to enable rigorous evaluations and adopt standardized, validated measures. Expanding research into non-Western contexts is also essential to capture cultural variation in human-nature relationships and strengthen the global relevance of zoo-based conservation education.