Visitations to the Museum of Núcleo de Ofiologia e Animais Peçonhentos da Bahia (NOAP/UFBA) Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The NOAP/UFBA (1987) is a research group/laboratory, a scientific facility for venomous animals (regulated in accordance with environmental laws), and a traveling university museum. It conducts teaching, research, and outreach activities on venomous animals through the Rede de Zoologia Interativa/REDEZOO (Educational Sector), grounded in Museum Education and Online Museum Education. In-person visits were suspended in March/2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming August/2023 with a Biosafety Protocol and limit of 10 people per visit. This is a qualitative-quantitative experience report aimed at discussing the return of visitors after reopening, when visits transitioned from spontaneous to scheduled via online form. August-December/2022, there were 8 visits, 103 bookings, 56 visitors (54.36%), with an average of 7 people per visit.January-December/2023, there were 322 registrations, 187 bookings (58.07%), and 154 visitors (47.82%), with an average of 8.5 visitors. The main reasons for no-shows were incomplete vaccination and unjustified absences. The profile of NOAP/UFBA visitors is predominantly young women (18-26 years old) who visited out of interest in animals, the laboratory, academic/professional concerns, bringing friends, attending school visits, or being attracted by recommendations from colleagues and digital platforms. We conclude that the post-pandemic return was a challenge that altered the functioning of visits but benefited the public interested in observing venomous animals and handling them safely during "hands-on-snake" and "hands-on-spider" activities (non-medically significant species). Visitors recognized the museum as a space for learning, opportunities, and contact with the university.