Research overview: the visitor effect in captive felids

This overview surveys how the presence and behaviour of visitors specifically affect captive cats, a group that frequently responds to crowds with vigilance, hiding or altered activity. It examines studies manipulating visitor numbers, noise and proximity and measuring felid behaviour and faecal cortisol, the role of viewing-window design, one-way screens and planting in moderating exposure, and species and individual differences in sensitivity. It also considers situations where visitors appear neutral or even mildly stimulating. The synthesis highlights that giving cats control over whether they are seen, through retreats and elevated cover, is the consistent recommendation, and that crowd pressure is a manageable rather than fixed feature of felid exhibits.