Zoo Studies: Living Collections, Their Animals and Visitors

by Paul A. Rees

Overview

Zoos and aquariums are culturally and historically important places where families enjoy their leisure time and scientists study exotic animals. Many contain buildings of great architectural merit. Some people consider zoos little more than animal prisons, while others believe they play an important role in conservation and education. Zoos have been the subject of a vast number of academic studies, whose results are scattered throughout the literature. This interdisciplinary volume brings together research on animal behaviour, visitor studies, zoo history, human-animal relationships, veterinary medicine, welfare, education, enclosure design, reproduction, legislation, and zoo management conducted at around 200 institutions located throughout the world. The book is neither 'pro-' nor 'anti-' zoo and attempts to strike a balance between praising zoos for the good work they have done in the conservation of some species, while recognising that they face many challenges in making themselves relevant in the modern world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108580526
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	61 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Paul A. Rees was formerly a Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford, UK, where he taught zoo biology and wildlife law. He has taught a wide range of subjects including biology, psychology, and environmental science in colleges in the UK and Nigeria. He has a long standing interest in large mammals, especially the ecology, behaviour and conservation of elephants and felids. His previous books include An Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management (2011), Dictionary of Zoo Biology and Animal Management (2013), Studying Captive Animals (2015), and Elephants under Human Care (2021).

Table of Contents

1. Zoos and research; 2. Defining zoos, their culture and visitors; 3. Zoos and education; 4. Anthrozoology and visitor behaviour; 5. Zoo organisation and regulation; 6. Ethics, zoos and public attitudes; 7. The contribution of zoos to Zoology; 8. Animals and their enclosures; 9. Animal welfare; 10. Enrichment and training; 11. Conservation breeding, reproduction and genetics; 12. Restoration, rehabilitation and in situ conservation; 13. Animal nutrition and conservation medicine; 14. The past and future of zoos.