Broad Only
Animal Nutrition
"As the largest apes, what do you think we feed our gorillas each day?"
"How often do you think we feed this snake?"
"What do you think a Komodo Dragon eats?"
Can you use the Guests answer to help gauge their knowledge level, if so, how?
Starting topic - Pollinators
Transition to - Plant your own garden
"Do you have a backyard?"
"Do you enjoy gardening?"
"What is your favorite pollinator?"
"Do you know what monarchs eat?"
"Forest ecosystems are important to people and animals"
Know Headline; Rehab, Canyon 2, Tiger Badge
"Do you know what paper is made from?"
"Do you know any animals that call the forest home?"
"Do you know what the fastest growing plant on land is?"
"How does the forest benefit humans?"
Cast Member - "What's your favorite animal?"
Guest - "I love zebras."
Cast Member replies...
Connect with the Guests about what they find interesting and foster a deeper appreciation. This drives the Guests to make changes in their daily life to positively impact conservation.
Animal Behavior
*Reptile is resting on a rock*
Did you notice the Komodo Dragon is resting on the rock?
Narrow question invites Guest to observe animal behavior and figure out the reasons behind what they see.
Guests are looking at the Colobus monkeys at Rehab.
Example question- “Why do you think these monkeys have such long tails?”
The Guests are invited to think about the why of a unique feature of the monkeys. The Guests are engaged through the use of questions as a way to continue delivering information, instead of making statements. Asking the Guests to think about the why behind it and come to their own conclusion.
Starting topic - Hippo aquatic habitat
Transition - Impacts of your choices on waterways
"Have you ever been relaxing in the pool and saw some trash float by?"
Our questions can help connect the Guest to the animal and how their actions could affect the animal. Build upon that feeling and why they should take action.
"Birds around the world have similar needs and face similar challenges"
Know Headline; Africa Aviary, Asia Aviary
"Do you see birds like this in your backyard?"
"What color birds do you see near you?"
"Have you ever seen a bird nest?"
"Do you know what this bird eats?"
Cast Member - "Where are you from?"
Guest - "We are from Kentucky."
Cast Member replies...
Connecting to where the Guests live and how they can help the animals in their own backyard is a great way to make the conversation personable and impactful.
Animal Behavior
*Great Argus Pheasant vocalizing*
Do you hear that loud wooing sound? It’s a type of bird, called a Great Argus Pheasant!
Narrow question draws Guest attention to a sound nearby, inviting them to focus on it and gain curiosity. This is a great opportunity to engage senses. Once the sound is identified and you have their attention to engage in a conversation about bird conservation.
Adult explorer at Tiger Badge
"Do you know how a bright orange tiger camouflages?"
This is a great way to take the answer the Guests give you and adjust the conversation to meet them at their knowledge level.
If the Guest starts explaining the rods/cones of eyes and how they perceive color, we should adjust our conversation to fit the Guest.
If the Guest says "To blend in." We should adjust to a much more simplified explanation and remember to focus on the impact/action not only the "Know"
Can you demonstrate how you would change the conversation in the above situations?
Stating topic - Use a prop available at Tiger Overlook
Transition to - Importance of predators
*Boomer ball*
"Do you feel the claw marks?"
*Skull*
"Why does this tiger have big sharp teeth?"
The Guest learns about what adaptation the animal has that makes them a predator. How do you convey the importance of them to create an emotional connection?
"Empathetic towards animals and the challenges
they face"
Feel Headline; Viewing Blind, Community Hall, Tiger Badge
Empathy is the ability to understand, share, and resonate with the emotions, thoughts, and perspectives of another, often described as "walking in their shoes".
In order to build an emotional connection between the animal and the Guest they need to be able to relate to them. Humans and animals rely on many of the same resources and can relate to needing these resources to survive.
Cast Member - "Do you think bats are heroes or villains?"
Guest - "Villains"
Cast Member replies...
What did you learn about the Guest based on their responds for this question?
How would you change the conversation if they responded "Heroes?"
Cast Member holding tiger boomer ball.
Cast member asks...
Do you think you could put a scratch in this ball?
The Guest is invited to engage senses to feel and consider the toughness of the ball with a narrow question, making the fact that a tiger can easily damage it much more impactful. Leading you into a conversation focused on predators and their adaptations and importance.
Guest walking quickly through the aviary
Why do you think the Guest is walking through quickly? Do they know they are in an aviary? Do they know where to look to spot the animal?
How can we help slow the Guest down and connect them with nature in a meaningful way?
Starting topic - Family dynamic for Gorilla family troop.
Transition to - Follow GRACE Gorillas on social media
"Do you have any siblings or cousins you play with?"
Family is a universal concept and can be used with any age group. Use that emotional connection you can build with the Guest and teach them how they can help gorillas in their native range.
"Our choices impact all living and non-living elements of ecosystems"
Know Headline; Research, Savannah Overlook, Safari Badge, Canyon 1, Community Hall, Tiger Badge, Belvedere, Biofacts, Courtyard, Hall of Animal Care
"Have you ever heard of the word sustainable?"
"Did you know they make bamboo alternative?"
"What is the fastest growing plant on land?"
"Did you know that fruit you're eating can be composted?"
Cast Member - "Do you visit your local zoo?"
Guest - "No"
Cast Member replies...
How we pivot when Guests do not give us the answer we expect is important. When we ask a question, it is important to be ready for a multitude of responds.
Safari Badge
*Can not ask what was your favorite animal on the safari
Think about how many times an explorer has been asked what their favorite animal is. How can we change it up?
No animal visibility
"What do you think lives here?"
"What clues that tell you what animal might live here?"
"What animals have you seen today?"
Props are a great here!
Holding prop- "What do you think this is?"
Starting topic - Spending time outdoors
Transition to - Groups that provide opportunities to help people get outside.
This is not just for kids but can be used at every age group. Spending time outside can be a great way to build community, spend time with friends, be active, and even travel.
What suggestion would you make to a preschooler, teenager, 30-year-old, and a senior citizen.
Examples; Preschooler- Roots and Shoots. Teenager-Local Outdoor Groups. 30- Outdoor Afro, Latino Outdoors. Senior- Community groups, Birding clubs
"Healthy ecosystems need predators"
Know Headline; Tiger Overlook
"Why is it important to have tigers?"
"Do you have predators near you?"
"What do you think happens if there are no predators?"
"How do predators help the environment?"
Cast Member - "Do you recycle at home?"
Guest - "Yes! We have a compost bin, always recycle everything we can, and buy reusable products when possible."
Cast Member replies...
If the Guests is already doing the action, it no longer counts as giving the Guest an impactful action. Great time to listen and apply their responds to the conversation and pivot. The Guests are interested in having a positive impact on the environment, how else could they do that?
Guest disinterested in animals
Remember to think simple and meet the guests where they are. If they are not interested in animals what can we focus on instead?
What do they not like about animals, it is okay to ask and get to know the Guest. It is out role to foster the connection to nature.