AiG Researcher Published Yet Again in Zookeeper Journal

Karina’s paper was just published last month (May 2025) in Volume 52, Issue 5 of Animal Keepers’ Forum and is titled, “Sssensational Snakes: Overcoming Fear by Inspiring Empathy.” It features research she conducted before and after our popular snake program Sssensational Snakes at the Ararat Ridge Zoo at the Ark Encounter. This research was in the form of a survey that tracked guests’ feelings toward snakes before and after watching our program.

Karina’s results were statistically significant and showed that presenting snakes in a narrative, personable way (in other words, not in a strictly scientific sense, but in a way that makes the animal feel more personable) decreased fear, increased comfort levels, and increased people’s appreciation for the role of snakes in nature.

This research will help other zoos create programs that will inspire their guests to appreciate “under-loved” or even feared animals, like snakes, and be better stewards of what the Lord has given us to care for.

This research will help other zoos create programs that will inspire their guests to appreciate “under-loved” or even feared animals, like snakes, and be better stewards of what the Lord has given us to care for.

Congratulations to Karina for this accomplishment and for her paper being voted by hundreds of her secular peers from zoos across the US, and even internationally, as Paper of the Year at the 2024 American Association of Zoo Keepers conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

We love seeing creationists doing research and bringing glory to God through what they do!

You can meet Karina as she often speaks at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum presenting animals and biblical truth to guests.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.