Zoos are expected to play a role in environmental education. However, zoos have not been able to provide sufficient opportunities for experiential learning to the age groups from the upper grades of elementary school to university students, who rarely have the opportunity to visit a zoo. Zoos are required to carry out various recruiting and public relations activities to increase the opportunities of coming to a zoo for these age groups. This study aimed to collect basic information relevant to pursuing the potential of zoos as a site of environmental education for these age groups. A questionnaire survey targeting 479 vocational school students in the city of Fukuoka was administered. As a result, zoos were generally recognized as a place for recreation. In contrast, some students interested in animals considered zoos to be a place for learning, and it is necessary to increase their satisfaction with this purpose. To enhance the role of the zoo as a place of environmental education, it is necessary to devise exhibitions in which animals can be enjoyed and to satisfy the basic requirements of visitors who visit for various purposes. It will be possible to promote the environmental education role of zoos by encouraging and arousing interest in the age group and connecting them to learning.
