Description: 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.
Brief description: 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).
Review Quotes: 'I would recommend this book to those interested in zoos/the work of zoos/animals in zoos, but predominantly as a book that introduces relevant topics/areas for consideration and offers direction for areas to further investigate, rather than as a sole provider of information on the complexities of modern zoos.' Ellen Williams, Animal Welfare