Wellington Zoo

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"Hi Rhona I was at the zoo the other day with my little niece Melody who's nearly three, and she was very interested in your signs! It was like, 'Aunty Joy, look at this,' 'Aunty Joy, look at this,' and 'Oh no look Auntie Joy, the little boy fell in and the lion got him!' She was always pointing to the signs. I thought you would like to know." Joy Cryer, March 2007

"As a modern zoo we are always looking at innovative ways to get our message across - this is wicked!"
Mauritz Basson, Chief Operating Officer

"The signs are colourful and innovative, and convey important messages to our visitors. The old adage 'A picture says a thousand words' is particularly applicable in this instance as we are trying to communicate with the younger age groups. In keeping the signs uncluttered and simplistic, the message is quick and easy to understand. In my line of work I know that simple is effective."
Russell McKeen, Curator, Equipment & Supplies, OSH Co-ordintor

Project: Oi Zoo Health and Safety signage project
Russell McKeen, OSH Coordinator for the Wellington Zoo, contacted Action Direction after seeing an article in The Dominion Post about innovative and effective Safety Signage communication. The existing safety signs in the Wellington Zoo were not having the desired effects; visitors paid little attention to the signs and their messages. By ignoring these signs they were potentially putting themselves and the animals at risk.

The zoo's target audiences are adults, (parents, caregivers, and grandparents) and children. According to Russell, the adult visitors cause the most problems in trying to engage the children with the animals.

The new signs were created and tested to ensure the children could understand the messages. The signs were then placed at child's height, with the intention of having them see and understand the signs, and then hold their accompanying adults accountable for their actions.

Rhona Beesley and Russell McKeen with one of the new safety signs. December 2005