What is it about?
Forces external to the institution of the zoo, such as the emergence of a robust animal protection movement, the recognition of the problem of climate change and the "sixth great extinction," and the development of the interdisciplinary field of human-animal studies, are pushing the zoos and aquaria to become less human-centered and more animal-centered. and, more generally, to question practice of keeping wild animal in captivity.
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Why is it important?
A recent study concluded that in the past 40 years, there has been a 60% recduction in the numbers of wildlife on the planet. Another finding is that the biological mass of humans and domesticated animals is now greater than that of wild animals. As McKibben suggested some years ago, we are in many sense looking at the "death of nature." The role of the contemporary and future zoo is an important player in the preservation and recovery of wildlife.
Perspectives
Personally and professionally as an animal advocate, I have very strong feelings about sharing the planet with the millions of other species that have evolved along with us. To assure the viability of wildlife is going to require major changes in attitudes, practices, and institutions --- among which is the zoo.
Dr. Kenneth Joel Shapiro
Animals and Society Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Whither Zoos? An Inescapable Question, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, August 2018, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2018.1513841.
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