Drawing Attention: A Field Study of Sketch-Based Penguin Identification for Aquarium Visitor Engagement

Zoos and aquariums often house animals in groups, making it difficult for visitors to recognize individuals. Penguins exemplify this challenge, even though identifying individuals can foster empathy and engagement. We addressed the following research questions: (RQ1) How do zoos and aquariums currently provide individual identification and what challenges remain? (RQ2) How does a sketch-based identification system affect visitor behavior and awareness in a real-world setting? To answer these questions, we (1) surveyed 25 facilities and clarified the limitations of existing practices, (2) refined a drawing-based retrieval algorithm to handle partial observations, (3) implemented a practical interactive system, and (4) validated it in a field study with 167 visitor groups (270 individuals). Results showed that the system encouraged name-based conversations, enhanced recognition of individual penguins, and increased dwell time. These findings suggest that sketch-based retrieval can enrich visitor experiences by promoting active observation and deeper engagement.