Connection with a zoo animal may increase conservation-mindedness in zoo visitors, potentially resulting in conservation-oriented behavior change. No research has attempted to establish what this "connection" actually means. Visitors (N = 85) to Melbourne Zoo were asked to name the animal with which they most connected, the extent to which they connected with it, and to qualitatively describe what it meant to connect with that animal. Many (but not all) participants connected with charismatic megafauna: primate, great ape, large carnivore, or large herbivore. Qualitative analysis revealed five common themes in the meaning of connection: Appreciation, Attribution, Inspires Emotions, Interaction, and Proximity. Overall connection level was significantly correlated with perceptions of conservation caring for the chosen species. Future research should aim to determine what factors affect a zoo visitor's connection level, which could impact attitudes and behaviors toward conservation.

中文翻译：

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当动物园游客与动物园动物“联系”时，这意味着什么？

与动物园动物的联系可能会增加动物园游客的保护意识，可能导致以保护为导向的行为改变。没有研究试图确定这种“联系”的实际含义。墨尔本动物园的访客 (N = 85) 被要求说出与他们最有联系的动物的名字、与它的联系程度，并定性地描述与该动物联系的意义。许多（但不是全部）参与者与具有超凡魅力的巨型动物有关：灵长类动物、类人猿、大型食肉动物或大型食草动物。定性分析揭示了联系意义中的五个共同主题：欣赏、归因、激发情感、互动和接近。整体联系水平与对所选物种的保护关怀的看法显着相关。