research topics for zoos

80 Zoo Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best zoo topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 good research topics about zoo, ⭐ simple & easy zoo essay titles, ❓ research questions about zoo.

• Zoos: Advantages and Disadvantages The expediency of zoos and similar institutions is controversial since no artificially created conditions correspond to the natural range of animals’ origin.
• Negotiating: Pandas in San Diego Zoo Case It is not the possible revenues of the zoo that need to be mentioned, but rather the revenues that the counterparty will have, as well as the influence of pandas on the promotion of support […]
• Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species However, at the moment, they could be considered important scientific and research centers that investigate the current situation related to species and create conditions needed for their survival and further preservation.
• Negotiating About Pandas for San Diego Zoo The popularity of the San Diego Zoo as one of the top zoos in the country and the idea that the borrowing of pandas will be a significant tourist attraction could be highlighted by Myers.
• The Harm That Zoos Do to Animals The first argument against zoos to discuss is the lack of interesting activities, joy, and ways to get rid of stress that animals can access in the wild.
• The Future for Zoos and Aquariums Bibliography If the rights and welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums are properly observed, the world association of zoos and aquariums will have no issues with these zoo fields.
• The Analysis of Siamangs’ Behavior in a Zoo Setting The results of the research disprove the hypothesis as it was assumed that siamangs would be less active in the zoo due to visitor’s attention and limited territory. Therefore, it is possible to note that […]
• The Australia Zoo Rescue Unit Project Being a rescue unit, the project is meant to provide the services of rescuing the ill and injured wildlife animals by offering them with veterinary services free of charge in all zoos of Australian territory.
• Animal Behavior in San Diego Zoo Based on the numerous remarks of scholars that claim that the animals are less active in the artificially created conditions in zoos, the hypothesis of the current write-up is as follows: Pandas tend to be […]
• Zoos: Cruel or Educational? The reality is that there is ambivalence whether zoos protect animals from the adversity of the wild or they violate the rights of animals to enjoy their freedom in the wild.
• Zoo Park’s Redundancy Management and Legal Issues Lastly, I have advised the management of the best ways to address the situation leading to the accident in the zoo park’s restaurant.
• The Role of Zoos in Endangered Species Protection Adopting the endangered species requires the zoos to have sufficient funds to meet the needs of the animals and to maintain the facilities.
• Setting Up a Safari Zoo in the UAE The paper below focuses on the barriers to setting up a safari zoo in the UAE. Through this, the study will identify the animals that are more likely to be comfortable in the zoo.
• The Effectiveness of Sustainable Practices, Plans, Programs and Initiatives Implemented by Australian Zoo The recommendations are going to be made about the additional initiatives which may be implemented in the industry paying attention to the failure to apply to one of the concepts in the sustainable development triangle.
• Endangered Animals and Zoo: How Zoos and Aquariums Protect Endangered Species
• Tourists Tours: The Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden
• Comparing the Behavior: Zoo Animals Versus Wild Animals
• Zoo Attendance: The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
• Let the Zoo Elephants Go: Movement for Retire Animals to Sanctuaries
• Operations Management: London Zoo and New Walk Tourism
• Appraising Employees at the San Diego Zoo
• Early Learning and Development: A Playground at the Zoo
• Tours in the Zoo Influence the Success of Extracurricular Educational Programs
• Social Enterprise: Zoos and Aquariums
• Hotel and Outdoor Petting Zoo
• Operations Management London Zoo and Nottingham Castle
• Planning and Building Housing for the Zoo
• The Future of Zoos and Animals in Them: Challenges Force Zoos to Change in Big Ways
• Animals and Statues Around the Zoo: Art Project
• Bronx Zoo Teen Summer Camp
• Akron Zoo Events Attendance Annual
• Tourist Management Strategies: Australia Zoo
• Bristol Zoo Business Objectives
• Cameron Park Zoo: The Perfect Place to Relax and Enjoy the Beautiful Day Outdoor
• The Zoo and Its Benefits: Conservation, Education and Research Programs
• Metropol Zoo Strategic Marketing Management
• Anthropology Zoo Observations
• Air-Cooling and Heating System for Tiger in Zoo Using Earth Tube Heat Exchanger
• Anthropology: Primate Behavioral Observation at San Antonio Zoo
• High-Tech and Tactile: Cognitive Enrichment for Zoo-Housed Gorillas
• Taronga Zoo Marketing Research
• The Morphology and Behavior of Zoo Animals: Gorillas, White-Handed Gibbon, and Golden Lion Tamarin
• Marketing Strategy for Zoo and Marine Park
• The Modern Zoo: Saving Species From Extinction
• Promotional Collateral for the Oakland Zoo
• SWOT Analysis and Marketing Mix for Zoo and Aquarium
• Animals and the Zoo: Zoo Animals and Their Wild Counterparts
• Captive Tiger Management Activity in Zoo
• The Competitive Environmental Forces of the San Antonio Zoo
• Analyzing the Marketing Strategy of Singapore Zoo Tourism
• Zoo: Project Planning and Behavioral Issues
• Zoo and Cruel Towards Animal
• Nightmare Zoo: The Surabaya Zoo of Indonesia
• Growth Strategies for John Ball Zoo Society
• Should Animals Be Kept in a Zoo?
• Which Is the World’s Largest Zoo and What Is Its Area?
• Where Is Largest Zoo in India?
• What Does a Zoo Do With an Animals Remains Once It Dies?
• When Is the Weekly off for Delhi Zoo?
• When Is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Zoo?
• Is It Ethical to Release Live Prey Into the Enclosure of a Carnivorous Zoo Animal?
• What Is the Difference Between a Zoo and a Wildlife Sanctuary?
• What Kind of Toys Do Large Predators Get at the Zoo?
• What Is It Like to Work at a Zoo?
• How Do People Perceive Zoo Animals?
• What Zoo Animal Is Most Likely to Become Depressed?
• What Factors Influence Stereotyped Behavior of Primates in a Zoo?
• How Should the Well‐Being of Zoo Elephants Be Objectively Investigated?
• What Is the Value of Zoo Experiences for Connecting People With Nature?
• What Is the Frozen Zoo Concept?
• How Old Is the Oldest Zoo?
• What Effect Do Visitors Have on Zoo Animals?
• What Is the Main Purpose of Zoo?
• Where Did the Word Zoo Come From?
• What Is the First Zoo in Asia?
• Which Is the Oldest Zoo in India?
• What Is the Most Visited Zoo in the World?
• Which Zoo Has the Most Animals?
• Why Is San Diego Zoo So Famous?
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100 Zoo Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Zoos are fascinating places that offer a unique opportunity to observe and learn about a wide variety of animals from all over the world. If you're tasked with writing an essay about zoos, you might be struggling to come up with a topic that is both interesting and informative. To help you out, here are 100 zoo essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration for your next assignment:

• The ethical implications of keeping animals in zoos
• The role of zoos in conservation efforts
• The impact of zoos on animal behavior
• The history of zoos and how they have evolved over time
• The benefits of zoos for education and research
• The controversy surrounding captive breeding programs in zoos
• The importance of zoos in preserving endangered species
• The challenges of managing a zoo and caring for its animals
• The role of zoos in promoting awareness of wildlife conservation issues
• The impact of zoos on local communities and economies
• The role of zoos in promoting animal welfare and ethics
• The debate over whether zoos should exist in the modern world
• The cultural significance of zoos in different societies
• The impact of climate change on zoos and their animal populations
• The role of zoos in public education and outreach programs
• The challenges of balancing conservation efforts with visitor experiences in zoos
• The impact of captivity on animal behavior and well-being in zoos
• The role of zoos in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability
• The ethics of using animals in zoo entertainment shows and performances
• The impact of zoos on biodiversity and ecosystem health
• The role of zoos in promoting animal rights and welfare legislation
• The impact of zoo closures and budget cuts on animal populations
• The challenges of reintroducing captive-bred animals into the wild
• The role of zoos in supporting local wildlife conservation efforts
• The benefits of zoos for public health and well-being
• The impact of zoos on visitor attitudes towards wildlife conservation
• The role of zoos in promoting sustainable tourism practices
• The challenges of managing invasive species in zoos
• The impact of zoo design and architecture on animal welfare
• The role of zoos in promoting cultural exchange and understanding
• The benefits of zoos for scientific research and discovery
• The impact of zoo accreditation programs on animal welfare standards
• The challenges of breeding endangered species in captivity
• The role of zoos in promoting animal enrichment and mental stimulation
• The ethics of using animals in zoo breeding programs
• The impact of zoos on local ecosystems and biodiversity
• The role of zoos in promoting public awareness of wildlife trafficking
• The benefits of zoos for educating children about conservation
• The challenges of managing a zoo during a pandemic
• The impact of zoo closures on animal welfare and conservation efforts
• The role of zoos in promoting sustainable food and waste management practices
• The ethics of using animals in zoo education programs
• The impact of zoos on wildlife populations in surrounding areas
• The challenges of managing zoo populations and genetics
• The role of zoos in promoting animal welfare legislation
• The benefits of zoos for promoting public engagement with wildlife
• The impact of zoos on local economies and tourism
• The role of zoos in promoting wildlife rehabilitation and release programs
• The challenges of managing zoo populations in the face of climate change
• The ethics of using animals in zoo research and experimentation
• The impact of zoos on animal behavior and social dynamics
• The role of zoos in promoting public awareness of wildlife conservation issues
• The benefits of zoos for promoting sustainable tourism practices

With these 100 zoo essay topic ideas and examples, you should have plenty of inspiration to get started on your next assignment. Whether you're interested in the ethical implications of keeping animals in zoos, the role of zoos in conservation efforts, or the impact of zoos on biodiversity and ecosystem health, there's sure to be a topic that piques your interest. Happy writing!

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Research in the modern Zoo

Zoos have come a long way from their beginnings as menageries in the 19th century. Rather than showcasing exotic animals purely for profit and entertainment as early zoos did, modern accredited zoos are active participants in scientific research and wildlife conservation. Research and conservation go hand-in-hand: in order to protect wild animals and their habitats, we need to understand these animals and the threats they face. Our mission at Zoo Atlanta – to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences – drives our contributions to these efforts. Read on to find out how to connect your students to current research and inspire conservation action within your classrooms.  

There are two broad types of wildlife research: in-situ research and ex-situ research. In-situ research is conducted out in the wild. This type of research can directly study the threats facing wild animal populations. It allows scientists to monitor and evaluate animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes. The benefit of this type of research is that you are studying wild animals in their wild habitats. 

Ex-situ research is that which takes place outside of an animal’s natural habitat, such as here at the Zoo. This type of research can focus on topics like veterinary medicine, animal training, and individual animal personalities and behavior. Ex-situ research allows researchers to study animals up close and evaluate individual animal behaviors, development, and physiology. Ex-situ research can help conservation efforts that help protect wild animals and their habitats by providing information that would be difficult to obtain in the wild. It also helps zoos learn how to take better care of their animals. 

Zoo Atlanta participates in both in-situ and ex-situ research projects. In-situ research efforts are conducted through field work by zoo teammates and by providing support for the research projects of trusted partners. One effort we have participated in is the discovery and  naming of new species of amphibians . Dr. Joe Mendelson, the Director of Research at Zoo Atlanta, is heavily involved in these efforts and argues that taxonomy is “central to our understanding of the planet and central to our efforts to conserve our increasingly threatened biodiversity.” The Zoo partners with the Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation and Auburn University to track and monitor re-released  eastern indigo snakes , many of whom were reared at Zoo Atlanta, in the Conecuh National Forest. We also work closely with the  Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International , an organization devoted to researching and protecting gorillas in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of our flagship projects focuses on studying a deadly fungus that has caused  Panamanian golden frogs  to become extinct in the wild. We care for a small population of these frogs at the Zoo with the hope that they can one day be re-released into the wild.  

Zoo Atlanta also conducts many ex-situ research projects on Zoo grounds. As one of the only zoos in the United States to house giant pandas, we have been able to  study giant panda  maternal behavior and sensory perception. These studies can help zoos take better care of panda cubs and provide better enrichment for pandas, while also providing insights that may aid wild panda conservation. The Zoo is the headquarters for the  Great Ape Heart Project , which aims to understand heart disease in great apes such as gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees. The project studies the causes, diagnosis, and treatment for heart disease in great apes. We also collaborate with researchers from Georgia Tech to study how  elephants can use their trunks  to delicately pick up objects and suck in large amounts of water.  Veterinary medicine ,  Komodo  dragon genome  sequencing, and  sidewinder snake  movement and biodesign are just a few of the other ex-situ research projects that Zoo Atlanta participates in. 

Both in-situ and ex-situ research efforts are vital to wildlife conservation. Zoos are particularly well-situated to conduct ex-situ research, which makes them valuable partners to conservation organizations seeking to learn more about how to protect wild animals. They also support in-situ research projects by contributing money, providing staff and expertise to assist with these efforts, and educating the public about the value of research. You and your students can learn more about Zoo Atlanta’s research efforts by visiting the  Research  section on our website or reading  Beyond the Zoo , which outlines more ways that Zoo Atlanta contributes to wildlife research and conservation efforts. Advanced students who are interested in pursuing biological research can peruse our list of  Zoo Atlanta scientific publications . If you want to visit the Zoo, meet some of the animals we care for and study, and talk to knowledgeable Zoo Atlanta staff members, check out our  Teacher Resources  to start planning your trip

Connect With Your Wild Side #onlyzooatl

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Article Contents

Introduction, introduction to zoological organizations and accreditation, author contributions statement, acknowledgements, conflict of interest, data availability.

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A Guide for Successful Research Collaborations between Zoos and Universities

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Andrew K Schulz, Cassie Shriver, Catie Aubuchon, Emily G Weigel, Michelle Kolar, Joseph R Mendelson III, David L Hu, A Guide for Successful Research Collaborations between Zoos and Universities, Integrative and Comparative Biology , Volume 62, Issue 5, November 2022, Pages 1174–1185, https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icac096

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Zoos offer university researchers unique opportunities to study animals that would be difficult or impractical to work with in the wild. However, the different cultures, goals, and priorities of zoos and universities can be a source of conflict. How can researchers build mutually beneficial collaborations with their local zoo? In this article, we present the results of a survey of 117 personnel from 59 zoos around the United States, where we highlight best practices spanning all phases of collaboration, from planning to working alongside the zoo and maintaining contact afterward. Collaborations were hindered if university personnel did not appreciate the zoo staff’s time constraints as well as the differences between zoo animals and laboratory animals. We include a vision for how to improve zoo collaborations, along with a history of our own decade-long collaborations with Zoo Atlanta. A central theme is the long-term establishment of trust between institutions.

In this article, we present the results of a survey of collaborations between academic researchers and zoos. Zoos and universities have different goals, funding levels, and cultures, which can lead to conflict if not proactively addressed. We focus here on zoos, but our findings may be helpful for collaborations with aquariums and botanical gardens as well.

There are >350 zoos and aquaria throughout the United States and >2000 globally. Many zoos and aquaria have active research programs beyond conservation to include basic research on in-house animal care and physiology ( Mason 2000 ). Moreover, the maintenance and husbandry of animals in zoos are often impractical for universities due to cost, space, and expertise limitations. Therefore, in a university setting, collaborating with zoos can significantly broaden research possibilities. The benefits can go both ways. Universities can bring technology, outside expertise, interdisciplinary research, and the media coverage and visibility that comes with making a scientific discovery.

Most previous studies on zoo collaborations have focused on enumerating popular research topics ( Kleiman 1985 ; Minteer and Collins 2013 ; Loh et al. 2018 ; Hosey et al. 2019 ; Mendelson et al. 2019 ; Welden et al. 2020 ; Kögler et al. 2020 ; Escribano et al. 2021 ) or the research goals of the zoo ( Fernandez and Timberlake 2008 ; Maple and Perdue 2013 ; Hopper 2017 ). Despite making a case for common interests and how research at each institution could benefit, these articles stopped short of providing suggestions for facilitating collaboration. We hope to fill this gap by writing for academics who will work with zoos and zoo staff who will advise new collaborations. The authors of this article include the combined perspectives of three university personnel, two zoo administrators, and an animal care specialist.

Universities often collaborate with industry ( Pertuzé et al. 2010 ) to access cutting-edge tools or industry data. However, for fields like biology and bio-inspired design, which require access to plants and animals, collaborations with museums, zoos, and aquariums are more likely. Zoos are generally non-profit organizations and depend on trust-built relationships more than for-profit industries ( Snavely and Tracy 2002 ; Murphy and Dixon 2012 ). The challenges associated with working with non-profit collaborators have been observed between academics and science journalists ( Levy et al. 2014 ). The top factors that enable zoo employees to conduct research include the support of the zoo director, an atmosphere where staff have dedicated time to conduct research, well-defined and supported research, and adequate equipment and supplies ( Anderson et al. 2010 ).

The study of biomechanics, physics of living systems, and bio-inspired design all depend on access to specialist species that have unique adaptations of body, behavior, or ecology ( Helms and Goel 2014 ). Working with zoos will advance bio-inspired design and promote biodiversity research by helping lesser-known specialist species gain visibility. For example, much of our experience has been working with Zoo Atlanta, which has tremendous biodiversity boasting about 215 species. Figure 1 shows the phylogenetic relationships among 69 of these species, emphasizing the phylogenetic diversity available to researchers and the opportunities for comparative biological studies. Broadly stated, research collaboration with zoos allows research personnel to study animals in controlled conditions to advance various foundational questions in science.

A phylogenetic tree of the animals cared for at Zoo Atlanta. Phylogenetic tree generated on PhyloNet and all silhouettes are from PhyloPic’s open source database.

We begin this guide with a glossary defining terms we will use throughout the paper. Then, we present our methods for survey writing, distribution, and analysis. Based on the survey responses, we will report the recommendations from survey respondents for successful research collaborations with zoos. We then provide quotes that highlight attitudes from zoo staff, relate our own experiences working with Zoo Atlanta, and close with thoughts for systematically improving zoo–university collaborations.

Proposing collaborative research with zoos requires the submission of several protocols. In this section, we define the terms commonly used by zoological and accreditation organizations.

Roadside zoos are often small for-profit establishments that may offer close contact with the animals they keep ( Moore 2008 ). With the emergence of roadside zoos that often exploit captive animals and are not grounded in traditional zoo culture, there has been a rise in zoological and conservancy accreditation ( Winders 2017 ). Accreditation at its core evaluates zoos on animal welfare guidelines and housing conditions.

Many of the hundreds of zoos in the United States are accredited by various organizations such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). Of these institutions, there are a total of 238 zoos and aquariums that are accredited by the AZA ( Gusset and Dick 2011 ). AZA accreditation is often costly, making it out of reach for zoos outside urban centers. Moreover, AZA does not dictate management style or day-to-day operations at every level that would be important to the researcher–zoo personnel relationship. AZA institutions also vary in their implementation of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval process, co-authorship requirements for zoo staff involved in collaborations, and the level of input of keepers and veterinarians when making research decisions.

Some AZA zoos manage wildlife species in free contact. Free contact is the ability to touch an animal without barriers. For example, box turtles are often housed with free contact, and few zoos enforce protected contact with box turtles. In contrast, nearly all accredited zoos have only protected contact and no free contact with tigers, lions, and cheetahs. Protected contact involves barriers between the keepers and the animals, providing safety for both the animal and the keeper as well as preventing the animals from becoming accustomed to close contact with humans. Thus, one cannot assume that the techniques and processes from one AZA institution are applicable across institutions and species.

The paramount goal of zoos is to promote biodiversity conservation ( Godinez and Fernandez 2019 ). While conservation as a field has adopted various definitions, zoos are particularly interested in research that aims to reduce threats to wildlife, reverse the effects of environmental degradation, and promote survival in natural habitats. These kinds of conservation actions and research are becoming more dependent on interdisciplinary partnerships akin to biotechnology and bio-inspired design, creating an increasingly collaborative space for zoos and academic institutions ( Chiesa and Toletti 2004 ; Hashemi Farzaneh 2020 ). Zoos provide accessible and exciting opportunities for education research and public engagement in community conservation projects ( Sloggett 2009 ; Falk 2014 ; Schulz et al. 2022 ).

Before contacting a zoo, it is helpful to be familiar with the organization of zoo staff. Zoos usually comprise distinct departments such as carnivores, primates, ambassador animals, or hoofstock. Instead of being aligned with taxonomy, departments may align with geography (e.g., Africa or The Tropics) or simply different locations in the zoo. Department members may be either biology-focused or education-focused, interfacing with the public and researchers in different capacities. Keepers are the primary personnel at the zoo who take care of the animals and are experts on individual animal personalities, behaviors, and daily patterns. Education staff are public-facing zoo personnel that present the biology and conservation challenges and programs to the public and engage in outreach at local K–12 schools. Curators are experts on the biology of different taxonomic groups, oversee the general direction and priorities of the department, and manage the personnel (e.g., the keepers) in each department. Zoo veterinarians maintain the health and well-being of species and perform surgeries, blood collections, and actions that require anatomical and physiological knowledge of the species at the zoo. Some zoos have animal-welfare specialists who assess and seek to steadily improve all aspects of the physiological and psychological well-being of the animals. Some zoos have dedicated research personnel.

To avoid misunderstandings and wasted effort, it is crucial to make early connections with the institutional animal welfare board at the researchers’ academic institutions, which in the United States is called the IACUC. In some zoos, a university IACUC is all that is necessary to conduct research. However, an additional Zoo Research Application must be completed in other zoos, such as Zoo Atlanta. The Zoo Atlanta application requests specific information about the individual animals and biomaterials, the level of contact with the animals, and, crucially, how much time and effort by zoo staff is requested, all of which are shown in the Supplementary Material . The AZA has a similar research application form used in some zoos instead of a zoo-specific form included in the Supplementary Material ( Ripple et al. 2021 ). Each academic institution may be different, and it is important to understand the timeline of research applications. For example, zoo approval may precede the university IACUC office approval or vice versa. Some universities will accept research approval from a zoo in place of their own IACUC review.

Survey creation and analysis

To evaluate how zoo personnel view collaborations with academic institutions, we created a 10-minute online survey using the Qualtrics software platform. The Institutional Review Board approved this human subjects research study at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Protocol Number: H21472). The survey was divided into three main sections: (1) acknowledgment of consent to participate in the research study, (2) background information, including job title, zoo affiliation, and experience with academic collaborations, and (3) opinions on the importance of different aspects of academic collaborations with regards to establishing and considering future partnerships. The survey concluded with an optional space for participants to provide additional thoughts.

We distributed the survey by emailing our contacts at zoos and professional lists from online zoo forums (e.g. AZA online forums). We asked our contacts to further distribute the survey to all working personnel and the zoo's weekly newsletters. Additionally, we sent the link to various online zookeeper communities, which likely contributed to the large percentage of zookeeper responses. We used Qualtrics reports to obtain distributions of answers, averages, and standard deviations, and then RStudio and Adobe Illustrator to visualize data distributions in divergent bar graph formats.

Phylogenetic tree

The list of animal species on the Zoo Atlanta website ( https://zooatlanta.org/animals/ ) was used to generate a phylogenetic tree. Taxonomic representation is important to inform the responses from keepers to show the phylogenetic diversity represented in a medium-sized zoo such as Zoo Atlanta. We used the software PhyloT version 2 (NCBI taxonomy). The tree’s 69 species (listed in Supplementary Fig. S1 ) were annotated with free silhouettes from Phylopic, indicating differences throughout the clades. Note that the species list is only a partial list of animals kept at the zoo.

A total of 168 responses indicated “yes” to the consent form; one person said no to the consent form. Of the 168 consenting responses, 44 included only demographic and zoo information and therefore were removed from further analysis. Five respondents to the survey were from aquariums and two from non-animal housing organizations such as botanical gardens and zoo technology companies; these responses were removed from all analyses as the sample size was insufficient to merit any actionable results. Further surveys targeting such organizations are needed. Thus the data presented below are indicative of the 117 zoological responses.

Respondents represented 59 different zoological organizations, with 85 |$\%$| of respondents affiliated with AZA-accredited zoos and the other 15 |$\%$| of respondents affiliated with either international zoos or zoos accredited by other national organizations (e.g., ZAA). The largest response rate of any zoological organization was Zoo Atlanta, which comprised 38 |$\%$| of respondents.

With regards to job title, 26 |$\%$| of respondents identified as keepers, 17 |$\%$| as education staff, 19 |$\%$| as curators, 6 |$\%$| as veterinarians, 4 |$\%$| as administrators, and the remaining 28 |$\%$| as “other.” The “other” category includes executive positions (president, manager, supervisor, board member), positions within conservation programs (director, researcher, program staff), and various staff involved in programming, research, or animal care. Of the total, 75 |$\%$| of respondents indicated having prior experience collaborating with academic institutions on research, while 14 |$\%$| had no experience, and 11 |$\%$| had engaged in research collaborations but were unsure if these were with academic institutions. Of those with prior experience, 41 |$\%$| had participated in 1–5 collaborations, 16 |$\%$| in 6–10 collaborations, 8 |$\%$| in 11–20 collaborations, and 9 |$\%$| in >20 collaborations.

We then asked participants about their opinions on the importance of various aspects of collaboration with academics. We asked about the three phases of collaboration: the pre-zoo phase, alongside-zoo phase, and post-zoo phase. These phases may be further divided into the 10 steps shown in Fig. 2 beginning with the pre-zoo phase, which leads into the alongside-zoo phase and the post-zoo phase.

Schematic of the zoo–university collaboration process. The inner ring displays the three phases of research collaborations with zoos. The middle rings display the steps within each phase. The outer ring displays a checklist of tasks that were most requested by zoo staff in our survey.

Pre-zoo phase

For most zoos, contact is first made by email or submission of a web-based form. Our survey results, as shown in Table 1 ( Fig. 3 , Supplementary Fig. S2 ), indicate that researchers should be aware of:

research question or hypotheses

species of interest

proposed experimental methodology

an expected timeline for research

Recommended knowledge requirements before initial contact with the zoo.

The most important topics to include in an initial email to the zoo.

The percentage of respondents is taken from a total of n = 100 respondents.

Additionally, but of less importance, the researcher should be aware of the zoo’s available species, the zoo’s research approval structure, and the zoo’s facilities and resources.

Critical to working with animals, the researcher should consider the ethical implications of their proposed research and plan to minimize invasive techniques with the animals. University IACUC proposals may need to be submitted, as well as zoo IACUC proposals. The order of these proposals depends on the institution. The primary information required in zoo proposals includes an application for research, project proposal, CVs of the principal investigator and co-investigators, guidelines on ownership of biomaterial and data, and specifics of biomaterial requests. We have included sample forms from Zoo Atlanta and the AZA research application questionnaire in the Supplementary Material ( Ripple et al. 2021 ).

Alongside-zoo phase

After contacting the zoo, discussion of the proposed research may commence. The remaining steps of this phase include meeting with zookeepers, submitting the research proposal, and planning and performing experiments at the zoo. Iterative modifications to the proposed methodology are often made after conversations with keepers about the study’s feasibility and timeline. When asked how important specific actions are for successful collaborations, most respondents identified the following themes as very important or extremely important ( Fig. 4 , Supplementary Fig. S3 ):

transparency with methods and goals

regular communication with the zoo

updating the zoo on data analysis and conclusions

citing the zoo in scientific publications

discussing method design and improvements with keepers

crediting the zoo on social media platforms and press releases

Actions recommended by zoo personnel for successful collaborations.

As with all collaborations, transparency and communication are common themes in working with the zoos. Attribution of credit is vital to zoo staff. The zoo personnel may provide several rounds of input in experimental planning. They may even perform much of the proposed experiment themselves. Expectations of how the zoo will be credited should be stated early by both parties, revisited during the collaboration, and confirmed before publication. Attribution of credit can vary from a mention in the “Acknowledgment” section to an offer of co-authorship.

While many zoos have conservation missions, we were surprised to find that conservation tie-ins were not considered more critical for research proposals. Zoo personnel were also not as concerned with researchers’ previous experience with the species of interest or the use of jargon in their proposals. Zoo personnel have backgrounds in biology or animal behavior and will generally trust the researcher to perform data analysis and draw conclusions themselves. Nevertheless, keepers can often provide demographic information on the animals, including mass, age, sex, or other behavioral observations, and updates on metrics if they change during the study.

The zoo has years of experience dealing with the public and works pro-actively to present itself in the best possible light. Protecting the zoo’s image protects its employees against negative comments, threats, and other responses from the public. Doing so involves screening any images, videos, or text descriptions of work done at the zoo. To that end, the researcher may be asked for their plans for disseminating the results of their study. Examples of such requests are in the Zoo Atlanta research application form and the AZA research form in the Supplementary Material . The researcher may need to request prior approval from the zoo before posting on social media or accepting interview requests.

In addition to the application forms, zoos may require more formalized, legally binding policies through memorandums of understanding to help foster long-term partnerships.

Post-zoo phase

Once experiments have been completed, research collaborators transition into the post-zoo phase. In this phase, researchers communicate results with zoo personnel and develop publications, presentations, and potential press coverage. Academic researchers set a precedent for what zoo personnel will expect in future collaborations. When asked how likely they would be to engage in future collaborations with academic researchers that performed certain actions, several themes stood out as largely positive ( Fig. 5 , Supplementary Fig. S4 ):

clear communication

updated the zoo when on-site work was completed

were deliberate about applying their findings to an ongoing conservation effort

implemented suggestions from keepers

presented their shared findings at AZA conferences

Considerations by zoo personnel for continuing to work with a researcher.

In addition, we found several themes that stood out as largely negative ( Fig. 5 ):

were reckless or negligent toward an animal

were rude or dismissive toward keepers

posted questionable content on social media

failed to credit the zoo

were transparent at some steps, but not others

Overall, the choices made in this phase can make or break a relationship with the zoo. For continued collaborations, the most crucial aspect of post-zoo collaborations was clear communication. Across all three phases, respondents identified communicating a practical timeline, implementing suggestions, and crediting the zoo as important. Many zoos have dedicated public relations staff who review manuscripts and presentation files before they are presented at conferences or in journal publications. Close contact with public relations staff at zoos is even more crucial if media coverage is expected or solicited. While ties to conservation were not important in the pre- and alongside-zoo phases, they became critical in publishing and disseminating results.

Zoo Atlanta responses comprised |$30\%$| of the total responses analyzed. To test if there was a potential bias toward Zoo Atlanta in our data, we separated the Zoo Atlanta survey results from the entirety of the survey. We performed a two-tailed Mann–Whitney U test with outliers included with an |$\alpha = 0.05$|⁠ . The Mann–Whitney U test showed that only three questions had been impacted by the Zoo Atlanta survey results including the zoos available species, the zoo’s leadership structure, and discussing with keepers about methods ( Supplementary Figs. S5–S7 ). Aside from those three questions, there was no significant difference between Zoo Atlanta ( n = 35) and the total responses ( n = 117).

We have now summarized the three phases of working with the zoo. Our survey also included several open-ended questions, whose most striking responses are given in the next section.

The perspective from the zoo on collaborations

The following quotes from zoo personnel summarize experiences from years of working with collaborators. We begin with quotes illustrating common misconceptions by academic researchers.

The biggest challenge I’ve personally faced with researchers is their belief that they can do whatever they want with the animals and that all methodologies will work on their given timeline. Bringing zoo staff into the discussion earlier can avoid establishing the usually unrealistic expectations that the animals will do what you want, when you want them to do it .

It is important to note that zoo animals are never to be viewed as lab animals, but as individuals with high intrinsic value and emotional connections with zoo staff. These animals should be thought of as participants in research, rather than experimental subjects .

...Understand that [the requested] level of manipulation of animals by staff will affect how likely we are to participate. Know that animals will not be put in adverse situations just to test something .

These quotes underscore the mismatch between an outsider’s expectations and research that is feasible at a zoo. Keepers generally do not make direct contact with the animals unless necessary for veterinary procedures such as blood draws. Thus, invasive experiments that are commonly performed with domesticated animals are often not feasible with zoo animals. This perspective highlights the difference between common lab animals, such as lab mice, and zoo animals.

The following quotes illustrate the conflicts that can arise in timelines and priorities between zoo staff and researchers:

Researchers also often seem surprised that our approval process can take a long time since we’re usually weighing the benefits of the research with the cost of keeper time and sometimes animal welfare. We need to make sure the project is worth it!

For us to dedicate resources (biomaterial, staff time, access) to a study, it needs to align with our priorities, which generally include improving husbandry/welfare, or [making discoveries] applicable to wildlife conservation. It is difficult for us to allocate resources to studies whose results don’t have that applicability. It’s often very evident that PIs don’t understand the impact of their requests on husbandry. We often get requests requiring isolation of individuals for observation, or manipulation of social groupings.. .

...Come prepared and transparent, be open minded and flexible, be prepared for it to take a long time for approval as zoos in general tend to move slowly and cautiously .

These quotes underscore the importance of patience and understanding in working with the proposal approval process. Researchers should acknowledge their status as guests and understand that the zoo has the ultimate say in whether a study makes sense for the zoo.

We now turn to the zoo’s suggestions for increasing a positive response or more engagement by the zoo. If a proposal initially did not receive traction, we encourage continuing conversations with the zoo. Conversations may lead to new rationale for the research that would not be initially known to investigators. For example:

Framing the research in terms of enrichment for the animals in question may produce positive responses from the zoo .

Enrichment is the process of providing ex-situ housed animals with stimulation to encourage natural behaviors (such as foraging) that can help to improve or maintain health or fitness. For example, our experiments on feeding elephants different shapes and sizes of foods that would encourage the elephant to use its trunk were considered enrichment.

Mention other zoos that have already been or also will be approached for participation .

If other zoos have rejected a proposal, the researcher should offer that information to reduce the zoo’s effort as they track down the previous work. This procedure is in the same spirit as the cover letter of a journal paper when it is resubmitted to another journal.

Depending on subject matter, keeper staff might actually want to be more involved, so make the offer on how they can participate more fully .

The researcher should be aware when the zoo staff would like to increase the level of collaboration. Zoos may have on staff entire educational teams that visit K–12 schools to discuss the importance of conservation and research at zoos. These programs provide additional collaborative opportunities for academic institutions to develop NSF-style broader impacts for their research.

We found that topics of importance to the zoo depend on the phase of the collaboration. For instance, having research tied to conservation was very low for the research proposal phase but increased in importance in the post-zoo publication phase. Long-term collaborations may require more consistent applications to conservation or enrichment, even if singular or short-term collaborations do not prioritize them as much.

Researchers need to have their own funding plan if they collaborate with a zoo. Although many zoos have interns, and some now have research or animal welfare personnel, there is little to no funding for research for external members of the zoo. The primary resources that the zoo can offer are time and access. As shown by the quotes from participants, keepers and zoo personnel are likely not being compensated for any research being conducted, so researchers need to minimize the time required for zoo personnel to be actively assisting with experimental setup and data collection.

Although our survey results pertain to zoos in the United States, there are many parallels between collaborating with zoos and doing international fieldwork. “Parachute science” or “colonial science” are terms that refer to wealthy researchers going to economically challenged countries to do fieldwork but without proper citations or equitable collaborations ( Roldan-Hernandez et al . 2020 ; Ruppert et al. 2021 ). Many journals now require publications of field studies to feature co-authors included from the place of study ( Pérez-Espona 2021 ). This idea of parachute science is traditionally linked to biodiversity studies in tropical nations but also occurs in zoos ( Stefanoudis et al. 2021 ). Biology journals that include authors affiliated with zoos tend to publish more descriptive literature on species and their behavior, providing more informative results ( Anderson et al. 2008 ). Avoiding parachute science in zoo–university collaborations is as simple as providing due authorship, acknowledgment, and credit in premier journals. Including zoological personnel as co-authors can increase the descriptive nature of the publication, which will be useful to future workers and future collaborations with the zoo.

Personal experiences growing and learning with Zoo Atlanta

The Hu Lab for Biolocomotion has been working with Zoo Atlanta since 2010. We now have many collaborations on research projects proposed by either the Hu Lab or Zoo Atlanta. Our partnership has resulted in over six papers published with the involvement of graduate students (Hamidreza Marvi, Andrew Dickerson, Guillermo Amador, Alexis Noel, Patricia Yang, Marguerite Matherne, Andrew Schulz, and Cassie Shriver), a postdoc (Jia Ning Wu), and many undergraduates. We try to overlap the hiring of new graduate students because training to work with the zoo takes at least a year. This training is best when done one-on-one because the process of IACUC and research approval can be daunting at first. Moreover, having the veteran graduate student introduce the new graduate student to zoo staff helps facilitate future communication and research projects. Zoo Atlanta staff for example prefer in-person over online meetings, and building trust with that staff takes time. We keep records of approved research proposals on file for future graduate students in the group to reference as needed. The graduate students were the main point of contact with zoo staff.

Our collaboration began with work that was non-invasive and most likely to be approved by the zoo. For example, in 2012, we conducted studies involving sprinkling animals with water to watch them shake off water on a hot summer day ( Dickerson et al. 2012 ). One of the reasons we have been able to collaborate in the long run was that the zoo was willing to work with us while we were in the learning phases of collaborating with the zoo. We advise new principal investigators to set up meetings with their universities’ IACUC committees to discuss the timeline of processes. At Georgia Tech, we had two Georgia Tech IACUC staff reach out we began. On the phone, they patiently explained places where I could improve my efficiency and effectiveness in proposal writing. In the long-run, such advice helped tremendously over the years and continues to inform my research today. One mistake we made early on was not communicating to a new graduate student that citations of the zoo should still be made when animals are photographed from the public area ( Amador et al. 2015 ). We have improved our communication in the group to prevent such mistakes in the future. We progressed in 2014 to studying mammal urination ( Yang et al. 2014 ) and tail-swinging ( Matherne et al. 2018 ). These studies were primarily observational and non-invasive, involving little of the zoo personnel’s time and not affecting the animals or their routines in any way. Thus, acknowledgment of the zoo was sufficient to give credit.

When assigning credit to zoo staff, one must keep in mind the organizational structure of the zoo and the complexity of the study. We conducted studies on venomous side-winding snakes that involved zoo staff for safety reasons. We also constructed a unique facility for creating prepared mixtures of sand with fluidized beds on zoo grounds ( Marvi et al. 2014 ). Similarly, studies with elephants involving picking up barbells or different-sized foods required regular planning meetings and the assistance of zoo staff during the experiment ( Schulz et al. 2021 ). These experiments were more complex and required a higher degree of active collaboration with the keepers. Thus, these publications resulted in co-authorship with zoo staff. In addition to research collaboration, graduate students from the Hu Lab often participate in a number of other volunteer events at the zoo, such as presenting at AZA conferences, organizing Biomechanics Day events, giving tours to guests, giving guest lectures, and fund-raising. These activities were often suggested by zoo staff, and our involvement has indicated the level of trust between our two groups.

Ideas for improving zoo–academic collaborations

Currently, collaborations with zoos are too often ad hoc: they emerge from historical contingencies such as long-standing relationships between key individuals. Starting such relationships is a big commitment. In this article, we discussed ways to make this process more efficient when such relationships already exist. In this section, we propose ways to make zoo–university collaborations more common and systematic.

We recommend that researchers who are first-time collaborators with a local zoo should seek mentors who have successfully navigated collaboration before. Mentors can offer to share their IACUC and other zoo protocols, make introductions to zoo staff, and help interpret waiting times and responses by the zoo. Most universities have trained staff that can assist with writing IACUC proposals and making connections. A few minutes on the phone can save several iterations on proposals, and it is often in the IACUC committee’s interest to reduce the number of proposal re-submissions.

Conferences are also an excellent way to meet researchers who have successfully collaborated with a zoo. Zoological organizations have annual AZA conferences where they discuss advances in their protocols for working with animals. The Society of Integrative & Comparitive Biology (SICB) as a community might consider providing travel scholarships and other incentives to encourage students to present their work at AZA conferences. Guidance on working with zoos is particularly relevant now that the public can interact with zoos through social media and the web. These new digital sources make it especially important for researchers to present their work and findings with the varying constraints of the zoo and university in mind.

To form long-lasting and systematic collaborations, both parties need equal commitment, effort, and consent. Zoos throughout the world now have educational departments to help engage in outreach. One way to improve rapport with a zoo is to volunteer to do scientific and conservation outreach as an extension of the research.

There are thousands of zoos and aquariums that can provide opportunities for advanced scientific discoveries. Although research collaborations may bring about challenges, this article highlighted a few simple steps to create more equitable partnerships. We proposed three phases of zoo research and walked researchers through the 10 steps of a successful zoo–university collaboration ( Fig. 2 ). We highlight the importance of transparent communication, acknowledging zoo personnel through co-authorship and acknowledgements, and treating the zookeepers with respect as behavioral experts and collaborators. We hope that the results of this study will improve not just zoo research, but animal conservation as a whole.

AS thanks Georgia Tech Research Institute for funding; CS thanks QBioS Interdisciplinary Graduate Program and the Haley fellowship for funding; Hu thanks the Woodruff Faculty Fellowship.

A.S. came up with the idea and hypothesis for this study as well as assisted in survey creation, data analysis, figure making, and manuscript writing. C.S. created and submitted the IRB protocol and also assisted in survey creation, data analysis, figure making, and manuscript writing. C.A. reviewed the survey and advised from a keeper perspective in addition to helping write the manuscript. E.W. contributed to the survey design and analysis. J.M. III led the zoo research arm of this survey and distribution of the survey to various zoo personnel. D.H. is the corresponding author for this study and assisted with manuscript edits, methodology, and ideation of the survey.

AS thanks Georgia Tech Research Institute for funding; CS thanks QBioS Interdisciplinary Graduate Program and the Haley fellowship for funding; DH thanks the Woodruff Faculty Fellowship. The authors would like to acknowledge R. Moore who assisted early on with edits of the survey and the survey’s contents. We would also like to acknowledge S. Wiech for assistance in distributing the survey to contacts at AZA. We would like to acknowledge all of the zoo personnel that were able to make this study and these findings possible as well as accessible.

J.M. III was the director of research at Zoo Atlanta during this survey. The survey was distributed in a daily zoo email blast without indication that J.M. III would be the corresponding author. There could potentially be a conflict of interest as we have three zoological personnel on this publication and the point of this publication is to advance zoo–academic research collaborations.

The authors currently have reported all statistical values of each survey in the Supplementary Material . Individual survey results will require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval from Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta to be shared with interested parties.

From the symposium “Best practices for bioinspired design education, research and product development’’ presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology virtual annual meeting, January 3–February 28, 2022.

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145 Zoology Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on zoology, 👍 good zoology research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot zoology ideas to write about, ✍️ zoology essay topics for college, 💡 simple zoology essay ideas, 📌 easy zoology essay topics, ❓ zoology essay questions.

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• Analysis of Sea Lampreys Problem Sea lampreys reduce the fish population, which affects the livelihoods of people. They negatively influence economic activities such as tourism and fishing in lakes.
• Primates and Their Defining Characteristics Primates are the group of mammals. This group consists of such animals as monkeys, lemurs, and apes. Humans are primates too.
• Nagel’s “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?”: The Concept of Conscious Experience “What Is It Like To Be A Bat?” uses the bat as an illustration of the ability to understand the mind and body operation and how the bat displays its character during an action.
• Feline Mental Health and Separation Anxiety The paper discusses feline mental health based on separation anxiety, behavioral categories, significant symptoms, risk factors, and implications.
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• Hawksbill Turtle Scientific Description Hawksbill is a sea turtle named after their narrow, pointed beak resembling that of a hawk, and they use it to find food from cracks and crevices.
• Cause and Clinical Characteristics of Rib Fractures in Cats Nontraumatic rib fractures are more common in cats with diseases that induce prolonged respiratory effort or coughing, metabolic conditions, or certain neoplasms.
• Blue Macaws: How to Prevent Their Extinction? The blue macaws preferred plain vegetation: single tall trees, thorny shrubs, groves of palm trees, forest belts, and river banks.
• “Diet Choice and the Functional Response of Beavers” by Fryxell and Doucet “Diet Choice and the Functional Response of Beavers” by Fryxell and Doucet explores how the beaver diet would change under the influence of the local environment.
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• Ornithology: Annotated Bibliography The authors conduct a profound literature review that seeks to explain the antecedents of this practice and present their investigation results.
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• Grey Squirrels: Fieldwork Observations The presented observations of grey squirrels’ behavior might be implemented for estimating animal intelligence and cognition.
• Witless Bay Seabird Ecological Reserve Management Witless Bay Seabird Ecological Reserve seeks to protect the seabird species from various risks and preserve the existence of special breeds.
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• Published: 29 October 2019

What’s new from the zoo? An analysis of ten years of zoo-themed research output

• Paul E. Rose   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5375-8267 1 , 2 ,
• James E. Brereton   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9104-3975 3 ,
• Lewis J. Rowden 4 ,
• Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo 5 &
• Lisa M. Riley 6  

Palgrave Communications volume  5 , Article number:  128 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

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The modern zoo’s roles command empirical enquiry to determine the effectiveness of zoos locally and globally. Ten years ago, published work identified the need for empirical research on a diverse range of species beyond charismatic zoo megafauna. We review zoo-based research published in the decade since this original recommendation. We collectively evaluate zoo-themed research papers from those working in zoos and those external to zoos but studying zoo-housed animals. By systematically searching Web of Science © for zoo-based research and performing inductive content analysis to code year, journal, study animal’s taxonomic classification, and research aims and outputs we evaluate trends in zoo-themed research, contrasted with trends in species holding. Significantly more birds and fish are kept compared to mammals, reptiles and amphibians, but mammals are consistently the primary research focus. Whilst output generally rises, only for birds is a steady increase in publications apparent. Husbandry evaluation is a major aim/output, but papers on pure biology, cognition and health also feature. Most publications lead to “specific advancement of knowledge” including validation of methodologies. We show that: (1) trends in species holdings are unrelated to trends in publication; (2) zoo-themed research makes meaningful contributions to science; (3) zoo researchers should diversify their aim/output categories and chosen study species to close the persisting research gaps that we have identified. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of evident species biases within research outputs across the broader fields of zoology, conservation and ecology.

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Introduction.

Zoos and aquariums have the potential to be excellent locations to develop, implement and complete scientific research. Zoo populations enable hypothesis-driven questions to be answered on species/topics that would be challenging in the wild. This is evidenced by, for example, ground-breaking insights into the reproductive biology of the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Roth et al., 2004 ) or results on the energetic costs of locomotion in bears, Ursidae (Pagano et al., 2018 ). Zoological databases that hold information on species’ biology can enhance the scientific literature on natural history and ecology (Conde et al., 2019 ); information that also informs animal management practices and species conservation strategies both in-situ and ex-situ. As centres for both pure and applied science, the output from zoological collections not only covers a range of disciplines (Loh et al. 2018 ) but is of increasing value to multiple stakeholders working in all parts of the world with all taxonomic groups.

The four aims of the modern zoo—conservation, education, research and recreation (Mason, 2007 , Fernandez et al., 2009 ) provide a framework for scientific investigation. The importance of research to the modern zoo is reflected in the number of pieces of national zoo legislation that require research activities to be conducted (Hosey et al., 2009 ). Conversely, entertainment is perceived as the least important role of the zoo (Reade and Waran, 1996 ), yet visitation must be maintained as zoos can be reliant on entrance fees for income. This income provides a means for zoos to fulfil their roles in conservation and education, hence zoos must remain attractive destinations to visit (Bueddefeld and Van Winkle, 2018 ). Research into the educational role of the zoo has scrutinised the effectiveness of zoos as learning environments (Marino et al., 2010 , Dawson and Jensen, 2011 , Moss and Esson, 2013 ). Despite an increase in zoo visitor studies over the past decade (Jensen, 2010 , Moss and Esson, 2010 ), there is little evidence that zoos promote understanding or pro-conservation behaviour. The importance of robust experimental design and application of “good science” is also evident in literature (Wagoner and Jensen, 2010 , Moss et al., 2017 ) promoting the need for an evidence-based approach.

Such an evidence-based approach extends to animal husbandry, central to which is researching animal behaviour. A majority of zoo scientific studies has previously been shown to be of a behavioural nature (Hosey, 1997 ). The relevance of behavioural science to conservation outcomes was postulated by Sutherland ( 1998 ) who states the importance of conserving behaviour as part of conservation objectives. A potential fifth aim of the zoo, to promote excellence in animal welfare (Fernandez et al., 2009 ) further supports the need to increase the amount of scientific study and application of such study, into zoo animal management. An increasingly ethically-aware public, who focus on the importance of good welfare and are not just concerned with animal cruelty (Whitham and Wielebnowski, 2013 ) emphasises the need for zoos to manage their populations to ensure a high quality of life can be attained and maintained for all individuals.

As scientific research that collects data to answer an hypothesis-driven question is key to ensuring husbandry regimes are most appropriate, zoos have invested in collaboration with academics (Fernandez and Timberlake, 2008 ), in the development of research methodologies (Plowman, 2003 , Plowman, 2008 ) and in the creation of research-focussed committees and working groups (BIAZA, 2018b ) to increase and develop their scientific output and its uptake by zoological collections. By expanding on how empirical research is applied within zoological collections (e.g., to husbandry routines, visitor engagement and interpretation objectives, or population management goals) the reach, impact and outcome of each of the zoo’s aims is strengthened.

With a new focus on collection planning for population sustainability (Traylor-Holzer et al., 2019 ), a paucity of scientific research for many familiar (i.e., commonly-kept, often-seen-in-the-zoo) species has been apparent (Melfi, 2009 ). This paper (Melfi, 2009 ) shows that researchers study a limited number of individuals of high-profile, charismatic species—a trend previously noted in the wider field of “wildlife research” (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ). Species less appealing to the public but housed in greater numbers across more zoological collections have been ignored. Likewise, when considering species responses to captivity, mammals are often focal subjects (Clubb and Mason, 2003 ) and ecological data are used to inform our understanding of their responses to captivity (Mason, 2010 , Kroshko et al., 2016 ). However, for other non-mammalian taxa we consider how they cope with the human-created environment of the zoo less often (Carere et al., 2011 ). Species with a long history of captivity, well-known and recognisable to the visiting public can still challenge us regarding their optimal captive care (Hatt et al., 2005 , Rose, 2018 ) and empirical, structured research programmes can help redress the balance between what a species needs to thrive and what is provided for survival in the zoo. Therefore, to move forward with species-specific Best Practice (husbandry) Guidelines (EAZA, 2019 ) less considered taxa, common but “ignored” species or animals perceived as less charismatic, e.g., reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, (BIAZA, 2018a ) need to be the focus of future research attention. Melfi ( 2009 ) highlights this lack of research into non-mammals as the cause of anecdote or “rules of thumb” methods of providing captive care.

As such, the aim of our paper was to look retrospectively from 2009 to 2018 to see how much more scientific research has been conducted into the areas identified by Melfi ( 2009 ) as lacking a research focus. Specifically, we collected research papers from five different taxonomic groups, to evaluate the range of taxa now included in scientific publications and we investigated if/how uptake and output of evidence, useful for management, has diversified. We used Melfi ( 2009 )’s Table 1 (page 581) and Fig. 2 (page 582) as a guide to what constitutes “forgotten taxa”—focussing on those animals with large populations but limited scientific investigation. We have added invertebrates, amphibians and fish to our analysis that were excluded or not fully included in the original Melfi paper for reasons outlined below. Melfi ( 2009 )’s Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the number of individuals of specific animal species held by British and Irish association (BIAZA) zoos, as well as the number of zoos that hold each represented species, compared to the number of projects conducted on these species, based on records from the BIAZA research database. A bias towards the study of a small number of charismatic mammalian species, for example chimpanzees (Pan troglyodytes) , bonobos (P. paniscus) , orangutans (Pongo sp.) , elephants (Elephas maximus, Loxodonta africana) , is clear from this figure. Melfi notes that more projects between 1998 and 2008 were conducted on the two species of Pan compared to all projects on birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates in this sample of BIAZA institutions—90 against 84 studies. We aim to see if such a bias exists in a sample of wider zoo output in the ten years from this dataset being published.

Papers were collected using the bibliographic database Web of Science©. Key term searches were carried out by including zoo* combined with either behaviour*/behavior* or welfare or nutrition and research for each type of taxa (mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish), for example “zoo* bird behaviour*. Each author was assigned a specific taxon and asked to scrutinise search results in the same manner, inputting data into a standardised spreadsheet. In January 2019, the lead author searched for remaining papers in 2018 across all taxa and terms to complete the dataset. Papers were categorised by year, species (and later class, genus and order), aim and main output. Aim was defined as the reason why the research was conducted (e.g., to determine the effect of a change of husbandry routine, or the influence of enrichment on behaviour, or to benchmark positive indicators of welfare). Output was defined as the key finding of the study and how this helps to underpin evidence-based zoo management.

Papers that covered more than one species of the same taxa (e.g., free-flight aviaries) were categorised as “multiple mixed”. Papers that covered a range of species from different taxa (e.g., visitor studies research or research into common patterns of stereotypic behaviours) were categorised as “multiple taxa review”. Papers that detailed methodological advances or novel approaches to data collection were categorised as “theory”. Papers that focussed on people including where data could add information on best practice animal care (e.g., influences on collection planning based on visitor perception) were categorised as “visitor”. Only peer-reviewed scientific papers in the Web of Science© search were included. Conference papers were not counted. In total, 1063 papers were categorised from 236 publications.

The impact factor of each publication was recorded from the individual journal website or from www.bioxbio.com if the impact factor was not clear on the journal’s homepage.

Rationalising aims and outputs from each article

Using content analysis, two authors (PER and LMR) coded the description of a paper’s aim and outcome into an aim class and an outcome class and outcome gain (see Table 1 for explanation). Papers were checked at the original source if both reviewing authors (during coding) were unsure of the aims and outcomes of the paper from its abstract. Aims were prioritised based on the paper’s own statement of their original aim and not on subsidiary findings. The aim “Husbandry and training” also includes papers that investigated visitor effects because visitors are provided in the zoo whether the animal wants them or not and therefore they directly impact on daily husbandry and management decisions. For each paper, one author stated their interpretation of aim and outcome code and this was judged using a protocol (Table 1 ) by the second author who also ensured the first aim/outcome was prioritised. Triangulation was not necessary as the two authors agreed on 100% of codes. Codes were created using an inductive approach. If a new aim/outcome was coded or new example were added, all previously papers in that aim class, outcome class or output gain were re-coded to reduce bias.

Specialised journals and global species holding

To compare any trend in publication output seen in the main Web of Science © dataset with two specialist zoo journals that are i) an annual publication without an impact factor and ii) have only incomplete listing on this database, an analysis of the output from the International Zoo Yearbook, IZYB, (published annually since 1960 by the Zoological Society of London) and the new open-access Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, JZAR, (published by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, EAZA) was conducted in the same manner (assessing the number of publications per taxa between 2009 and 2018). From these two journals, 354 papers were collected.

To provide context to research output gathered from searching for numbers of papers on specific taxa, data on species holdings of all zoos globally, published in the International Zoo Yearbook, were analysed alongside of the research-focussed data. These (unpublished) species holdings data were collected as part of an on-going additional research project (by author JEB) with the annual number of each species of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish kept at each zoo being recorded.

Invertebrates

Papers on zoo-applicable invertebrate research were sampled alongside of the main dataset. As we were keen to follow Melfi ( 2009 )’s categories of research subjects as closely as possible and because of the high number of papers to review between authors, details collected on invertebrate papers were restricted to: the name of the journal and year, the type of aim of the paper and the study subject. Again, only papers found in Web of Science © were recorded and the same categories for searching across the complete database were used: e.g., “zoo* invertebrate OR cephalopod OR arachnid welfare”. Abstracts of papers were read to ensure there was an application to zoo populations- i.e., the paper was not solely focussed on laboratory experimentation. A total of 17 papers were identified from 2011 to 2018 across 12 different publications.

Total sample size

Overall, 1434 zoo-focussed research papers were collected for analysis and evaluation (from the main dataset, from the IZYB and JZAR dataset, and for the separate search for invertebrate-specific research).

Data analysis

Data were analysed in R studio v. 1.0.136 (R Core Team, 2016 ). Where required, data were checked for collinearity using the “car package” (Fox and Weisberg, 2011 ), with values <2 taken as acceptable. Plots of residuals in R for each model were used to assess the distribution of data before further testing.

To compare differences between total counts of mammalian, avian and fish species held, a two-sample t -test was run. To determine any change in the number of species in each class housed by global zoos over the course of the study, a one-way ANOVA was run for species counts against year.

To compare the number of papers published against the taxonomic class of species held plus year of publication, a general liner model was run in R and post-hoc testing to ascertain differences between predictors was run using the “pbkrtest” and “lsmeans” packages for R studio (Halekoh and Højsgaard, 2014 , Lenth, 2016 ).

Fitted models were also run in R, with associated linear regression plots, for each outcome, gain and taxonomic class per year to identify any significant trend in the number of papers published on that theme.

For those papers with a focus on one taxonomic class only ( n  = 863), a multinomial logistic regression was run in R studio using “multinom” function from the package “nnet” (Venables and Ripley, 2002 ). The “AER” (Kleiber and Zeileis, 2008 ) and “afex” (Singmann et al., 2019 ) packages were used to generate P values of the model fit from ANOVA and Wald’s tests. Post-hoc testing was run using the “lsmeans” package (Lenth, 2016 ) using (model, pairwise ~ factor | object, adjust = “tukey”, mode = “prob”) to generate P values for each pair of factors for each outcome across taxonomic class.

A linear regression was run in R with follow-up ANOVA analysis of the fitted model to determine the significance of predictors (taxonomic class, aim, outcome, gain and year of publication) on journal impact factor.

To remove any chances of Type 1 error, the Benjamini and Hochberg ( 1995 ) method of correcting the level of significance was employed when comparing multiple P values.

Global species holdings and the taxonomic focus of research papers

Figure 1 shows that birds and fish are the most speciose taxa housed in zoos globally, and amphibians comprise the fewest number of species housed. Significantly fewer species of mammal are housed compared to birds ( t  = −21.07; df = 11896; P  < 0.001) and fish ( t  = −8.86; df = 9291; P  < 0.001). For each taxonomic class, there was no significant change in the number of species held by zoos globally between 2009 and 2018 (mammals P  = 0.985; birds P  = 0.809; reptiles P  = 0.488; amphibians P  = 0.559; fish = 0.999).

The mean number of species within each taxonomic class (white dot, no line) housed globally in zoological establishments that provided data to the International Zoo Yearbook from 2009 to 2018 compared to the number of publications (red dot, red line), per year, for that taxonomic class. Overall birds are the most speciose taxonomic class housed by zoos globally and show the biggest increase in research output

There is a significant relationship between the number of papers published on each taxonomic class, the year of publication and the mean number of species in that class held ( F 14,35  = 58.59; r 2  = 0.94; P  < 0.001). Across years the increase in the number of papers published for all taxonomic classes combined was not statistically significant (regression slope = 7.41; P  = 0.338), suggesting that the overall number of papers on all topics identified from this literature search remains similar.

Significant differences are noted for the output for mammals against reptiles (higher number of mammalian papers), for fish against mammals (lower number of fish papers) and for amphibians against mammals (lower number of amphibian papers), Table S1 (supplementary information). When evaluating the interaction between species held and taxonomic class (species_holding*taxonomic_class) there is no significant relationship, showing that the average number of each species (in each taxonomic class) held in zoos is not influencing the number of publications on these taxa (intercept = 1.16, P  = 0.976) even though the relationship between the overall number of papers published and taxonomic class of animal is still significant (F 9,40  = 74.65; r 2  = 93%; P  < 0.001). As there is no significant change in the number of species held over this time period, an increase in the holdings of one class is not causing an increase in research output in that specific class.

Trends in the specific categories and aims of zoo-based papers

Analysis reveals that most of the papers have a husbandry and/or welfare focus (see Table S2, supplementary information), be that in the aim ( n  = 301) of the paper or the overall outcome ( n  = 435). The high number of papers coded as a pure biology outcome ( n  = 271) shows that zoos can be centres for the advancement of “blue sky” science, as well as for applied science. This idea is supported by the proportion of papers (75%) that add to our knowledge of the species or topics being investigated. With only 1.7% of papers having no specific gain (i.e., a need for more research to answer the paper’s aim) zoo-based papers are clearly able to impact on knowledge and practice in this area of science.

Is there a relationship between the question being asked and what type of animal is being studied?

The Analysis of Deviance (type II) tests from the model showed that a paper’s aim (likelihood ratio χ 2  = 81.65; df = 36; P  < 0.001), outcome (likelihood ratio χ 2  = 54.23; df = 20; P  < 0.001) and gain (likelihood ratio χ 2  = 30.13; df = 16; P  = 0.017) are all significant predictors of the taxonomic class of the paper. Year was not a significant predictor but may be trending in that direction (likelihood ratio χ 2  = 49.97; df = 36; P  = 0.06). Post-hoc comparison of outcomes for each taxonomic class identified multiple significant predictors (for example Table S3, supplementary information).

Surveying across single-taxonomic class papers only (for the aim, outcome and gain of each paper) shows differences in the proportion of papers on each specific theme by taxa. For fish, 43% of papers had a husbandry aim, 57% of fish papers had a pure biology outcome and 71% of fish papers were identified as having a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge.

Across those papers on reptiles, 45% had a veterinary medicine and animal health aim, 42% had an animal and ecosystem health outcome, and 52% of papers had a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge. For amphibians, 16% of papers had a behavioural aim and 16% had a veterinary medicine and animal health aim, 29% of amphibian papers had a husbandry outcome and 48% paper were identified as providing a gain by specifically advancing knowledge.

An aim of behaviour was identified for 31% of all papers focussing on birds, 39% of bird papers had a husbandry and welfare outcome and 69% of bird papers provided a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge. For papers on mammals, 32% had a husbandry and training aim, 43% had a pure biology outcome, and 70% provided a gain in the specific advancement of knowledge.

For those wishing to advance an evidence-basis for zoo animal husbandry, 23% of all papers provided a gain of how to advance practice (either species-specific or general) with 78% of these being on mammals. Most papers focussed on adding to our knowledge of the study subject(s). Table S4 (supplementary information) further evidences the popularity of specific taxonomic orders as subjects for zoo-themed research by illustrating the types of question asked and output gained on the different taxonomic classes identified in our dataset. Details are provided for the top five orders from mammals, birds and amphibians, for all three orders of reptiles and for all six orders of fish from the ten-year dataset. Bias in the questions being asked at a taxonomic level is evident for each order and may relate to the accessibility of this animal in a zoo or the expertise of the researcher conducting the science.

Predicting future trends

Assessing the main dataset ( n  = 1063) for increases or decreases in the number of publications per theme or on a particular taxonomic group type of animal identifies key areas where zoo research is growing in output. A significant relationship is found for the number of papers published on captive birds over the ten-year period, +3.5 papers/year ( F 1,8  = 26.99; r 2  = 74.3; P  = 0.001), supporting the trend illustrated by Fig. 1 . Papers with an overall methodology aim also increase, +1.01 papers/year, indicating that zoological research is continuing to publish new ways of assessing the animals within collections ( F 1,8  = 30.23; r 2  = 76.5; P  = 0.001). Papers with an aim of veterinary medicine and animal health also increase (+1.01 articles per year) significantly ( F 1,8  = 8.97; r 2  = 47.0%; P  = 0.017). Figure S1 (supplementary information) illustrates these trends over time.

There are also increases on year for outcome with 1.12 extra papers per year published on animal and ecosystem health ( F 1,8  = 9.69; r 2  = 49.1%; P  = 0.014). Output of papers with a visitor studies aim was not significant ( P  = 0.08, +0.2 papers/year). Husbandry and welfare outcome papers may tend towards a significant increase of +1.7 papers/year ( P  = 0.062). This general trend is supported by Fig. S1, which shows a rise in this outcome category over time (although this is not consistent from one year to the next). Finally, there is a significant increase (+5.8 papers/year) in the number of papers published that specifically advance our knowledge of zoo animals ( F 1,8  = 38.18; r 2  = 80.5%; P  < 0.001).

Conservation and population sustainability papers and those focussing on human behaviour change outcomes appear low overall, when compared to those on pure biology and on husbandry (Fig. S1). Such information highlights areas for research to expand into in the future to ensure output continues to be novel and relevant.

Patterns of publication from an annual and a new scientific journal

To compare with output taken from the impact factor-listed publications in the main dataset, Fig. S2, supplementary information, shows the publication trend for the IZYB and for JZAR. Trends in the IZYB data are harder to predict, even though overall the number of mammal-focussed papers is higher than for other classes (47% overall). However, a notable pattern of mammal-focussed publication is evident in each year of JZAR; since its first publication in 2013, 59% of papers are on mammals. All single-class taxonomic categories aside from mammals can be absent from each of these two publications (Fig. S2). Therefore, consideration for the theme of each volume or the breadth of papers included within may be needed to ensure that a wide-range of species are focussed on per edition.

Assessing impact

Differences are apparent in the spread of journal impact factors for where papers on each class of animal and each type of research topic are published (Fig. 2 ). The top five highest impact factor journals include research on multiple taxonomic classes and papers that provide a general advancement in knowledge (with one species-specific focus (elephants) that provides a specific advancement in knowledge). Of the 1063 papers from 2009–2018, two are published in journals with an impact factor of above 10, with the majority (75%) published in journals with an impact factor of below 2.

Boxplots to show the median impact factor of papers for each type of animal or research aim. Top: taxonomic class (A amphibians, All All classes included, B birds, F fish, M mammals, M+ Mammals plus another taxa, R Reptiles, RA+ Reptiles and amphibians plus another taxa). Middle: Aim category (BEH Behaviour, BPR Breeding programmes, HUS husbandry and training, MTH methods, NUT nutrition, PHY physiology, VET veterinary medicine and animal health, VIS visitor studies, WEL welfare). Bottom: Outcome category (AEH animal and ecosystem health, BCH behaviour change human, CSN conservation and sustainability, HUS husbandry and welfare, PUB pure biology, SCI scientific validity). Papers covering all taxa show the largest range in impact and the highest impact overall

Papers with Husbandry and welfare, Human behaviour change, and Conservation and sustainability outcomes are published in the highest impact journals. Papers with a Welfare, Visitor studies, Methods, and Husbandry aim are also found in these higher-impact publications. It is exciting to see that a wide range of topics can be published and disseminated widely across the breadth of the scientific literature- zoo-focussed research is not restricted to “zoo only” journals.

There is a significant relationship between several predictors and publication in a higher impact factors journal ( F 34, 1028  = 2.59; r 2  = 5%; P  < 0.001). Taxonomic class ( P  < 0.001), aim ( P  < 0.001) and outcome ( P  = 0.009) are all significant predictors of publication in a journal with a higher impact factor. Year of publication ( P  = 0.36) or gain (0.994) show no relationship to a journal’s impact factor. Model estimates for individual GLMs show significantly higher impact factor journals contain papers covering both reptiles and amphibians (estimate = 1.32, P  = 0.007) and papers on birds were more likely to be published in lower impact factor journals compared to other taxonomic groups (estimate = −0.57; P  < 0.001).

For the aim of the paper, those on nutrition (estimate = −0.49; P  = 0.012) and veterinary medicine/animal health (estimate = −0.33; P  = 0.006) were published in lower impact journals, whereas those on visitor studies were significantly more likely to be found in higher impact publications (estimate = 0.52; P  = 0.002). When assessing each paper’s outcomes, those relating to human behaviour change were more likely to be published in journals with higher impact factors (estimate = 0.94; P  < 0.001) compared to other outcome categories.

Comparing the interaction between taxonomic class and the paper’s aim ( F 61,1001  = 1.85; r 2  = 5%; P  < 0.001) shows that higher impact journals are successfully chosen for physiology papers that cover all classes (estimate = 2.36; P  = 0.04) and for methods papers published on reptiles and amphibians (estimate = 3.06; P  = 0.05). A significant interaction is present for papers on reptiles and amphibians with conservation/sustainability outcomes (estimate = 4.47; P  = 0.001), model summary F 39,1023  = 3.003; r 2  = 7%; P  < 0.001. No significant relationship is noted for any interaction between the paper’s gain and the taxonomic class used as the subject, and choice of higher impact journals.

What about invertebrates?

For the 17 relevant papers obtained on invertebrates, the highest number ( n  = 11, 65%) focussed on reviewing or providing commentary on, across taxa, bigger questions relating to welfare (including a paper on enrichment practices that covered other taxa as well invertebrates to determine preferences for a specific type of enrichment provided and a paper on how to design judgement bias tasks, both of which have important welfare connotations). Papers on cephalopods and those covering a review of invertebrate taxa as part of a wider question (e.g., enrichment or welfare assessment) made up several of the articles recorded ( n  = 5, 29%, respectively). Invertebrates articles could cover pure science (i.e., personality studies), as well as be used to inform the management of other taxa in the zoo (i.e., investigating food supplements for invertebrates that are then used as foods for other species). The median impact factor was 1.5, similar to output presented for other taxa in Fig. 2 . Papers published in the top-five impact factor journals were two articles that reviewed welfare (published in journals with an impact factor of 16), a cephalopod welfare paper (published in a journal with an impact factor of 5.23) and paper on cephalopod personality (in a journal with an impact factor of 4.13) and a review paper on welfare (in a journal with an impact factor of 3).

Our results show that zoo-themed researchers are increasing their research output year-on-year; Fig. 1 illustrates that, for bird research at least, the overall trend in output is positive. A bias in the study of large charismatic mammals dominates the overall number of papers published, but zoo-themed researchers are investigating a wide array of topics and increasing their output into areas of knowledge gain, as well as practical application (Fig. S1, supplementary information). This mammal bias appears similar to that noted in the wider field of zoology (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ) and the need for a more informed approach (such as our call for more scientific investigation for taxon-specific husbandry guides) is echoed by previous research that highlights a lack of scientific rigour within strategies implemented for habitat and wildlife conservation (Reichhardt, 1999 ).

Zoo-themed research output appears to be aligning with wider conservation messages, for example as emphasised by the One Plan Approach (CBSG, 2015 ), as well as with moves to encourage more direct pro-environmental human behaviour change (Smith et al., 2008 , Spooner et al., 2019 ) and wider usage of ecological evidence for the development of species-specific management plans (EAZA, 2019 ). We demonstrate that zoo-themed research output can cross academic boundaries and answer big questions that extend far beyond the animals housed at the zoo themselves. Increases in the number of papers adding to knowledge of species biology shows the wider relevance of zoos to “blue sky” science and an impact across different fields for all taxa investigated (Fig. 2 ). This expanding and considered research output appears to align with developments noted in other areas of biology too- for example the relative success of conservation initiatives in the United States (Schwartz, 2008 ) even though data to underpin these measures can often be lacking.

The focus on specific taxonomic groups compared to others (Table S1) may be a facet of the particular research interest of individual scientists, the commonality of a particular species in the zoo, or the availability of species in zoos close to the workplace of scientists that are publishing in this field. There are clear trends in the choice of taxonomic order when looking over the aims, outcomes and gains from research published on zoo-housed animals (Table S3), indicating that researchers opt for a particular taxonomic order as a study system when designing how to test an experimental hypothesis. A Husbandry and training aim and a Husbandry and welfare outcome predominates in this dataset (Table S2) showing that zoo research is focussing on key areas of management to improve captive care. This illustrates that the majority of these papers are adding to knowledge to strengthen the aims of the modern zoo, and it is encouraging that only 18 papers provided no firm conclusion to their way. Those researching the zoo are clearly able, in the vast majority of cases, to provide an answer to their question.

Our results identify some interesting trends in how zoo animals are used for research. Notably that reptiles feature more in veterinary and health-related papers than other taxonomic classes, yet whilst mammals are the most commonly studied class (Fig. 1 ), they show the least variation in research aim for across all classes (Table S3), with papers asking either behavioural or husbandry and training related questions. Amphibians are the class with the most diverse array of questions asked—covering breeding, husbandry, nutrition, physiology, behaviour, and veterinary medicine and animal health. This suggests that the conservation relevance of amphibians in zoos (Zippel et al., 2011 ) and the urgency by which captive-naïve populations have had to be created suddenly ex situ (Pavajeau et al., 2008 ) has created niches for variation in research questions more quickly than in mammal populations, for example, that have not been exposed to sudden changes in the novelty of species held.

We identify papers that cover each of the four roles of the modern zoo, demonstrating that zoos are prepared to research how well they are meeting their goals and be scrutinised on the outputs from such research. Given calls for good welfare to be a fifth aim of the modern zoo (Fernandez et al., 2009 ), the high number of papers with a full or in-part welfare outcome (41% of all identified papers) is encouraging. Welfare science is moving quickly, with novel approaches validated (Williams et al., 2018 , Richter and Hintze, 2019 , Yon et al., 2019 ) and an increasing use of natural ecology information as a keystone in determining the relevance of husbandry in the zoo (Rose, 2018 ). Therefore, the application of animal-based welfare assessment to ensure individual welfare is good, rather than a completely resource-based approach is a key area of research for zoos to focus upon (Whitham and Wielebnowski, 2013 ). And as 74% of identified papers that had either a specific or general advancement in practice ( n  = 245) were fully or partly focussed on a welfare outcome, zoos are forging ahead to evaluate many aspects of welfare of the animals they house. Our results indicate this is not confined to a single taxon but relevant to all investigated except reptiles where focus is on health and conservation. This may be because so little of the wild biology is known for many reptilian species that, when in captivity, immediate threats to survival (e.g., disease) must be the primary research concern. Whatever the underlying reason, here there is an identifiable opportunity for future zoo research.

Three key gaps in knowledge of zoo animal management were identified by Melfi ( 2009 ). Firstly, that research tended to investigate indicators of poor rather than positive welfare. Change is evident with research assessing animal-based indicators of a good quality of life now being published (Williams et al., 2018 , Yon et al., 2019 ), and methods for positive welfare assessment for zoo invertebrates, as well as an evidence-basis for captive invertebrate care (Bethell, 2015 , Tonkins et al., 2015 ) can also be found. We demonstrate that targeted research, evidenced by the year-on-year increase in bird research output (for example), with popular aims of husbandry and welfare and with an advancing knowledge outcome, means all aspects of welfare are being considered and investigated.

Secondly that housing and husbandry are historically based on anecdote or tradition. A scientific approach to inform husbandry is noticeable in our dataset, with housing style (Rowden and Rose, 2016 ), daily husbandry regimes (Rose et al., 2016 ), nutrition (Gussek et al., 2018 ), enrichment practices (Costa et al., 2018 ), breeding recommendations (Asa et al., 2011 ) and animal health measures (Greenwell and Montrose, 2017 ) being based on evidence gathered to determine optimal care. The asking of numerous questions (Table S4) with an amphibian model shows that zoo researchers are considering key knowledge gaps at different taxonomic levels when constructing an experimental design. Even within a taxonomic group bias persists as certain species (e.g., Pan spp. in the Primate order) command the evidence-based approach. This is not to say zoos specifically ignore other species as a myriad reasons may explain why the husbandry practices of one species are more science-led than another (for example, the number of individuals kept in zoos). And as Pan sp . studies continue to demonstrate, many research projects are required before an holistic approach to husbandry (and welfare generally) can be achieved. Our paper shows that for many species, zoo research is the start of this evidence-gathering journey.

Thirdly, a lack of species-specific biological data may be inhibiting zoo research output. Well-studied animals, such as Pan sp ., will continue to receive research interest because scientists have a reliable bank of background information to utilise. Consequently, equally important research candidates remain understudied due to this lack of baseline information. Use of ecological information on species’ habitat choices can be used to inform housing (Mason, 2015 , Kroshko et al., 2016 , Mellor et al., 2018 ) and suitability of husbandry can be evaluated via individual preference testing (Mehrkam and Dorey, 2015 , Troxell-Smith et al., 2017a , Troxell-Smith et al., 2017b ). Therefore, constructing “in-zoo” questions based on manipulations that can yield species-specific information means that these poorly understood species can be researched and improvements to their husbandry be made on an evidence-based approach.

We demonstrate that zoo-themed research output is slowly filling in these gaps for more and more species, and we have evaluated how this research can have wider impact across scientific publications with a broader readership (Fig. 2 ). From the output in Melfi ( 2009 ), 89% of the sample concerned mammals (60% of which was primate-focussed), with 8% on birds, 1% on reptiles and 1% on other taxa. Whilst the Melfi ( 2009 ) dataset was restricted to output from only one region (British & Irish facilities), the bias for investigating mammalian species is clear. Within our main Web of Science© dataset, 69% of papers focussed solely on mammals (40% on primates)- therefore highlighting a shift change towards the use of other species as research subjects that is unrelated to the number of species kept of a given taxa.

Inter-disciplinary research also identifies the usefulness of zoo information to big data questions, and such an approach helps further reduce the lack of biological information as identified by Melfi ( 2009 ). Information held in the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) database, managed by species360 (species360, 2018 ) has added to the bank of biological information held on non-domestic species (Conde et al., 2019 ) to improve our knowledge and understanding of many important areas of species biology, physiology and life history. To develop this research output, zoos should be increasing the number of scientific studies being published within higher impact journals. Our dataset shows that mammals remain considerably better represented in publications than all other taxonomic groups combined. Indeed, two mammalian Orders, Carnivora (154 papers) and Primates (294 papers), are both better represented in research output than all birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish together (204 papers) for papers covering a single taxonomic class.

Publication output centring on a few species within taxonomic groups that are the focus of research attention is documented (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ) and similar reasons are postulated to ones that we cover in our evaluation (i.e., flagship for conservation). These authors also note that fish are an underrepresented group in “wildlife research” and again this echoes our own zoo-focussed findings. Given that aquarium-housed fish can be flagships for conservation research, e.g., McGregor Reid et al. ( 2013 ), there is the potential to build on key traits that make a specific taxa suitable for scientific study to increase its use for research. Increases in species-specific output may be based on active researchers investigating questions on the same taxa because these are considered the most appropriate for that question. However, scientists could consider diversifying the taxa used to ask a similar question. For example, the use of highly-cognitive birds instead of primates for cognition research, facilitating the use of non-mammalian species. Use of cephalopods to determine personality differences (Carere et al., 2015 ) can be a realistic alternative to primate studies given the complex cognition of these invertebrates (Mather and Dickel, 2017 ) that involves both short- and long-term learning and engagement in behaviours such as play.

However, we should also be mindful of the importance of knowledge gaps (e.g., the achievement of optimal welfare) for all captive species, regardless of taxonomic class and therefore zoos should actively engage in directed scientific research to answer key applied questions. A lack of background knowledge on such species, hampering effective evaluation of any results generated, may be causing researchers to choose more familiar species as study models. When considering zoo-specific and open access publications (Fig. S2, Supplementary information) there is an overall predominance of mammalian-research noted, even when annual volumes are themed around a particular taxa, such as freshwater fish (McGregor Reid, 2013 ), or area of work, such as reintroduction and translocation practice (Gilbert and Soorae, 2017 ).

The continuing decline in biodiversity is resulting in zoos providing care for species with a limited to non-existent captive history. Science has a role to play in informing practice for these species if species conservation initiatives are to be successful. Zoos and aquariums are unique in their capacity to provide direct conservation action to threatened species across the globe (Michaels et al., 2014 , Biega et al., 2019 ), and it is encouraging to see that many zoo research projects already focus on conservation breeding and the wider role of animals in ecosystem health. Zoo studies currently are used to better inform conservation projects for animals in situ (da Silva et al., 2019 , Lacy, 2019 ) and this trend is likely to continue into the future. The success of in-situ conservation initiatives can be hindered by a lack of evidence (Reichhardt, 1999 , Schwartz, 2008 ) and therefore decisions that influence population management, breeding recommendations and similar measures to conserve biological diversity ex situ must have an evidence basis to them.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (2020) is currently developing a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which will aim to address the key drivers of extinction (CBD, 2019 ). A key area for future focus is the relatively poor representation of amphibians, both in zoo collection plans, and also in the research output. Zoos appear to be housing relatively few species of amphibians. In relation to biodiversity and conservation, there are over 7900 amphibian species, and roughly 40% of these species are threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2019 ). While some animal collections have produced excellent conservation education strategies centred around amphibians (Pavajeau et al., 2008 ), it is clear there is room for development of collection plans for these species. It may be difficult for visitors to appreciate the diversity of threatened amphibians if few are represented in captivity (Michaels et al., 2014 b).

Because zoological collections have the responsibility of maintaining populations of highly endangered species, prioritising research into areas of population sustainability, educational initiatives and human behaviour change, can help inform the overall conservation plan for species at the brink of extinction. Whilst our results show that current conservation and ecosystem health output appears low, there is evidence that the quantity of research output is growing. This range of publications has value for those engaged in direct conservation action, as well as to educators disseminating information to zoo visitors and beyond.

It is interesting to note that the best represented animals in our dataset also appear to be some of the favourite animals of zoo visitors (Carr 2016 ). Primates, carnivores and elephants are well-represented in the public’s top ten favourite animals (Courchamp et al., 2018 ) and whilst it is beyond the scope of this paper to determine why these animals appear to feature in both public interest and in zoo literature, we do suggest that public interest could act as a driver for research focus on this species (i.e., to better inform practice and scrutinise the extent to which species are presented to visitors). We do not suggest “less primates” in the output from zoos but more focus on other taxa, as well as the continuation of high levels of research on traditional study species. We would encourage researchers to consider their choice of study population carefully and think about other benefits to their research. It might be intriguing to study chimpanzees but is there more added conservation, education and recreational value if the waxy monkey frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii) was studied instead…?

In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, globally, zoo-themed researchers have an impressive scientific output and are investigating a range of empirical, hypothesis-driven questions that relate to all the modern zoo’s key roles. Between 2009 and 2018, considerable progress has been made regarding the number of zoo-based publications, especially papers focussed on welfare assessment or improvement. Our results show that there remains a mismatch between the number of species within a taxonomic class held in captivity and the representation of this class in the peer-reviewed literature. Whilst it is relevant that some charismatic species are receiving considerable publication interest, further focus on species that are less represented in literature would help the zoological community to develop welfare indicators and evidence-based husbandry more rapidly for a wider range of taxa. The research output of zoological collections is worthwhile, not only for those working within the industry, but also for those working in other capacities with wild animals and in related disciplines (e.g., academia). As such, progress in increasing the number of questions being posed and output of answering such questions, both within and beyond the zoo, has value to people and animals worldwide.

Data availability

The dataset on publications gathered from scientific databases is available at Open Research Exeter: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/39092 . The dataset generated on species holdings are not publicly available due to this project still be researched but are available from author James E. Brereton upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Loader for her help with compiling data from JZAR and the IZYB. We thank S. Bereton for assistance with the global species holdings dataset. The open access publication charge was covered by the University of Exeter’s Institutional APC Fund.

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Paul E. Rose

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University Centre Sparsholt, Sparsholt College Hampshire, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2NF, UK

James E. Brereton

Zoological Society of London, London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

Lewis J. Rowden

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo

Centre for Animal Welfare, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4NR, UK

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Rose, P.E., Brereton, J.E., Rowden, L.J. et al. What’s new from the zoo? An analysis of ten years of zoo-themed research output. Palgrave Commun 5 , 128 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0345-3

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100 Zoology Dissertation Topic

List of 100 zoology msc, phd dissertation topic ideas.

Earthly life is studied in biology and zoology. In the context of this field, invertebrates and vertebrates are researched, along with their morphology, the physiologic underpinnings of their lifestyles, geographic distribution, origin, categorization, function in the biosphere and in human existence, and techniques for intravital observation.

Therefore, regardless of the level of accreditation of the educational institution, zoology dissertations are crucial for students of many disciplines. The student learns to emphasise the key details in the subject of zoology, explain these details succinctly, and thoroughly research a particular issue while writing, reading, and memorising this work. Teachers or students themselves may select the themes for their dissertations.

It takes a lot of time and effort to thoroughly research the topics in the field of zoology. Numerous subjects and issues can be researched in biology and zoology. For your consideration, we've chosen the subjects that are both theoretically and practically intriguing. In the section below, we'll explain how to pick the ideal theme.

How Should You Choose the Best Zoology Dissertation Topic?

Since the topic must satisfy several requirements, choosing a topic for a zoology dissertation is always one of the most difficult phases for a student. Relevance, information correctness, absence of abstractness, accessibility of freshness, and elaboration are a few examples. Check your dissertation topic for all of the aforementioned if you have chosen an intriguing subject.

We suggest that you rephrase the topic for the best outcomes. By doing this, you may focus on a smaller region of the problem, which will make future work easier and save time. Let's use an illustration. It is far simpler to produce a strong student paper that touches on intractable basic scientific questions than it is to compose a solid dissertation on the subject of zoology with a specific item or problem in the title. Make writing your dissertation as easy as possible for yourself.

Additionally, you may ask our support gurus for assistance if you are unable to select a theme on your own. A professional will advise you on a topic that will be beneficial, timely, and in demand for you during your university studies or assist you in selecting the ideal topic.

Topics for Zoology Dissertations

• Aristotle and his views on animals Classification of animals (Aristotle, Linnaeus, Lamarck, Cuvier).
• Reconstruction of the invertebrate phylogeny. Modern methods.
• Ctenophores are life forms.
• Worms with cephalopod bodies.
• Polychaete reproduction and growth
• The importance of oligochaetes in improving soil fertility.
• Leeches have therapeutic properties.
• Torsion mechanism in gastropods.
• A subkingdom is a contemporary notion. Protists of medicinal importance
• The discovery of trichoplax and the origin of multicellular creatures. Its importance in comprehending the development of multicellular creatures.
• Body symmetry in invertebrates.
• Adaptation of mollusks with lamellar gills to the passive lifestyle of biofilters.
• Organ and organ system formation in non-intestinal turbellaria.
• Human trematodes and cestodoses
• Non-helminths, geohelminths, and biohelminths Cycles of development
• Cephalopods are marine primates.
• The appearance of arthropods on land.
• A wide range of crustaceans. Crustaceans that are parasitic.
• The origin of insect mouthparts.
• Proto-arthropods. Diversity is vital for understanding arthropod evolution.

20 Excellent Zoology Dissertation Topics

• Parasitic flagellates and parasitic sarcode organisms Are they pathogens that cause human and animal diseases?
• Flagellates with a plant type of exchange and flagellates with an animal type of exchange
• Sporozoans as protozoal disease causing agents in humans and animals
• There are several types of Infusoria.
• Protozoa radiation in the environment
• Theories of how multicellular creatures evolved.
• Creeping is a systematic variant of the type.
• The comb type's general features.
• The Flatworm type's ecological diversity.
• Ecto- and endoparasitism in multicellular organisms as the emergence of new microbiotopes Parasite classifications.
• Nematodes are the most common pathogens in humans and domestic animals.
• Rotifer morpho-ecological characteristics
• Mollusks' adaptive radiation results in the assimilation of numerous environments. Mollusk ecological radiation in nutritional processes.
• Characteristics of the Polyplacophora and Monoplacophora classes.
• Cephalopod organisation characteristics.
• Annelid diversity and ecological features Adaptive radiation and macrosystem type
• The primitive characteristics of trilobite organisation.
• Xiphosura class general features (Horseshoe crabs).
• The practical utility of arachnids includes toxic arachnids, parasites, and infection vectors in humans and domestic animals.
• The system of interconnected arthropod adaptations to terrestrial life.

20 Fascinating Zoology Dissertation Topics

• Insects take flight. Insects' medicinal significance
• Insects are considered agricultural pests.
• Various needle-skinned creatures
• Vestimentifera and Pogonophora
• Bryozoans and their significance
• Brachiopods serve as guiding fossils.
• Invertebrate phylogeny.
• Plant protection by biological means.
• Arachnids of several types.
• Ticks have medicinal importance.
• Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate circulatory system.
• The evolution theory: issues concerning evolution.
• Protists: notion and medicinal importance
• Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate musculoskeletal system.
• Crustacean reproduction, development, and life cycles Crustacean parasitism adaptation.
• Myriapoda superclass general features
• Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate genitourinary system.
• Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate nervous system.
• The Earth's life. In zoology, species and speciation. Classification of animals
• Definition and zoological notions of anthropogenesis

20 Ideas for Zoology Dissertations

• Insect habitat diversity and taxonomic diversity
• Insect morphofunctional characteristics that offered a complex of adaptations to the terrestrial existence.
• Cyclostomes have primitive characters, specialisation, and unique features linked with a parasitic existence.
• Tunicata or Urochordata subtype systematic diversity
• Chordate origin theories include Garstang's theory and Severtsov's theory. Chordate ancestors and their way of life.
• Tunicates' biology and ecology as an adaptation to a primarily sedentary existence.
• Ecological classes of fish based on food type and feeding strategies.
• Cystophera and lungfishes have been proposed as probable ancestors of amphibians.
• The major groupings of ancient and current echinoderm species.
• Echinoderm embryonic development, major larval forms, and metamorphosis
• Systematic variation in bony fish (Osteichthyes).
• Amphibian adaptation to the growth of the ground-air ecosystem.
• The main taxonomic groupings of amphibians, their representatives, structural characteristics, dietary ecology, and reproduction.
• Reptile taxonomic categories, representatives, structural traits, nutrition ecology, and reproduction.
• Birds' morphological and physiological adaptations to flying. Modern bird classification system.
• Symmetry in invertebrates.
• Mammals evolved from animal-like reptiles. The contemporary Mammal classification scheme.
• The major paleochronological stages in the development of animals.
• Evolution and Development of Multicellular Organisms
• Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs, and Pterosaurs are extinct reptile groups.

20 Zoology Dissertation Topics

• Parasites: general traits, human importance Turbellaria in the intestine.
• Chordates: an explanation of the species, structure, and characteristics of life. Chordates are the sensory organs.
• Reptiles: structural characteristics, life, and habitat
• Vertebrates: structural characteristics, categorization
• Fish that are round, cartilaginous, and bony.
• Invertebrates' circulatory, genitourinary, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems.
• Crustaceans: environment, structure, and parasite examples
• An summary of numerous instances of avian structure.
• Arthropods: environment and life characteristics
• Subtypes include skulls and tunicates.
• Human thermodoses and cestodoses People value them.
• Cephalopods, polychaetes, geohelminths, and biohelminths are all types of worms. Leeches are used in medicine.
• Cephalopods: species description, key traits
• Arachnids: anatomies and classifications
• The animal kingdom's phylogeny.
• Vertebrate respiratory organs Vertebrate skull and circulatory system
• Mammals: characteristics, structure, and comparative anatomical investigation of two representatives
• Fish and amphibian skin. Primary water and vertebrate digestive systems
• Definition and description of anamnias and amniotes.

Finish Your Conclusion

During your university education, you can explore many more zoological themes and learn new things. The themes of students' independent work might be adjusted or augmented depending on the curriculum.

It's conceivable that you're drawn to challenging questions and unresolved issues. In this instance, keep in mind that time is not on your side. The dissertation has been in the works for a long time. Perhaps it is better to postpone a more difficult topic for the future and instead write a term paper or an article for a scientific publication.

It makes no difference whether your abstract topic was picked independently or from a list. The teacher will most likely know the solution to any questions you have and will assist you in avoiding mistakes when drafting the abstract. Furthermore, if you have already picked a topic but are unsure of your talents or capabilities, you may always seek assistance from our dissertation writing service pros. After submitting a brief application, you may be confident that your dissertation will be produced efficiently, swiftly, and on time. We are always available to assist you!

Frequently asked questions

How do i choose a dissertation topic for zoology .

• Animal-related theories were put forth by Aristotle.
• reconstruction of the invertebrate phylogeny.
• the idea of a subkingdom in modern times.
• the discovery of trichoplax, as well as the creation of multicellular creatures.
• the symmetry of an insect's body.
• Ctenophores have life forms.

Which topic is best for PhD in zoology ?

The most fascinating subjects that might be beneficial to you in college are listed below.

• Transport and communication between cells throughout development.
• Salmonid population dynamics and history.
• The sub-Antarctic penguins' past breeding patterns.
• Honey bee dopamine regulation
• development of parasites.

Which topic is best for dissertation ?

Here are 3 excellent dissertation topics.

• Internet influence on pupils' social and spiritual values.
• One of an educational organization's primary goals should be to promote a democratic culture among teenagers.
• High school students' cultural autonomy in the social studies and humanities curriculum.

What are the topics in zoology ?

Some modules you could take include:

• Evolution and extinction.
• the primates' psyche.
• laboratory expertise.
• Cellular control and genes.
• aquatic biology.
• Animal conduct.
• parasites, illness, and immunity.
• life and evolution's patterns.

What is the best course after BSc zoology ?

Certificate Programs Following a BS in Zoology.

• Forensics of wildlife.
• Animal Science.
• conservation and primatology.
• Animal welfare: ethics and the law.
• Management of the environment.
• Photography.
• maintaining zoos.
• Journalism.

Which university is better for zoology ?

California State University, Santa Barbara

Can you do PhD after MSc zoology ?

Yes, you may pursue a Ph.D. in zoology after earning your MSc. For the MSc in Zoology, you must receive a 55%. You must take the Ph. D entrance exam offered by the University, and admission will be granted based on your performance on the test.

Which subject is best for MSc zoology ?

Candidates with a strong background in biochemistry, animal biodiversity, cell, and molecular biology, ecology, physiology, and environment management are required for the MSc in zoology program. These topics make up some of the most crucial concept-building components of the zoology curriculum.

Which is better zoology or botany ?

If you are more interested in plants, you should major in botany, and if you are more interested in animal life, you should major in zoology.

What is scope of zoology ?

A candidate with a master's degree in zoology has a wide range of opportunities. They can serve as veterinarians, forensic scientists, lab technicians, zoology academics, wildlife educators, conservationists, wildlife biologists, zoo curators, and animal behaviorists.

Is a degree in zoology worth it ?

Graduates may find employment in academia or private sector, but many go on to further their education in order to develop the specific skills needed for their chosen vocations. Jobs as wildlife scientists or park rangers are available at the entry-level. Working with wildlife conservation groups or animal shelters is also very common.

Is zoology a good career ?

For people who are eager to learn about biodiversity and willing to take on difficulties, it is a wonderful career choice.

Which is better chemistry or zoology ?

Compared to zoology and botany, chemistry has a wider application. Go for zoology and botany if you want to pursue a career in teaching and research, but you have more options in chemistry to work in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food production industries as well as in teaching and research.

What are the project topics for zoology undergraduate students ?

• Animal virus.
• Growth of the skeletal system.
• Assembly of cells in embryos.
• Central Nervous System Synapses
• Biology of Behavior.
• Biological system interactions.

When did zoology begin ?

12th century

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• > Zoo Studies
• > Zoos and Research

Book contents

• Zoo Studies
• Copyright page
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• 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
• Bibliography
• Subject Index
• Animal Species Index

1 - Zoos and Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2023

This chapter examines the nature of the research conducted in and on zoos. Much of the research undertaken in zoos is concerned with the behaviour, nutrition, welfare and reproduction of animals. However, work has also been published on the history of zoos, their place in culture, their conservation role, their educational value and the interactions between people and animals in zoos. Historical trends in zoo research are examined along with taxonomic bias in the species studied: most studies involve mammals. Although zoo research is published in a wide range of journals, in recent decades a number of specialist journals have been produced.

1.1 Introduction

Zoo research has been something of a Cinderella subject until relatively recently. Most of the work that has been published on zoos has been biological in nature but few academics would describe themselves as zoo biologists.

A major problem for zoo researchers is that very often their work must be conducted in an ad hoc manner, in conditions that are beyond their control. Data are often ‘snatched’ in an opportunistic manner for all sorts of practical reasons: because of the weather, animal management and husbandry routines, changes to group composition, movements and deaths (or births) of animals, time constraints and a whole host of other events. Many studies of animals living in zoos have few subjects because zoos rarely keep large numbers of the same species ( Table 1.1 ). However, there has been a trend towards multi-institutional studies in recent years. For example, Meehan et al. ( Reference Meehan, Mench, Carlstead and Hogan 2016 ) studied the welfare of elephants ( Loxodonta and Elephas ) in 68 North American zoos and Cronin et al. ( Reference Cronin, Tank, Ness, Leahy and Ross 2020 ) studied intragroup conflict among Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata ) in 10 zoos.

Table 1.1 Examples of studies conducted in zoos using five or fewer animals.

The purpose of this chapter is to review the studies that have attempted to examine the nature of, and trends in, research conducted on zoos and aquariums and the animals living in them.

1.2 The Advent of Dedicated Journals for Zoo Research

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has been publishing research since 1830, initially in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London and the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London , now the Journal of Zoology ( Fig. 1.1 ). Many of the early papers published by ZSL reported the discovery of new species and matters of general zoological interest that did not relate directly to the Society’s living collections. For example, Richard Owen published papers on the anatomy of the cheetah and giraffe, and the osteology of the orangutan (Owen, Reference Owen 1834 ; Reference Owen 1839a ; Reference Owen 1839b ) when he was Hunterian Professor in the Royal College of Surgeons, prior to his appointment as superintendent of the Natural History Department of the British Museum. Others papers, however, described animals received by the zoo from benefactors or collected by the zoo’s staff on their many expeditions. In 1928, Joan Procter, the Curator of Reptiles at ZSL, presented a paper on a Komodo dragon exhibited at one of its scientific meetings:

Procter, J. B. (1928). On a living Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, exhibited at the Scientific Meeting, October 23, 1928. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London , 98, 1017–1019.

Fig.1.1 The Zoological Society of London has been at the forefront of the publishing of zoological research since 1830.

The first volume of the International Zoo Yearbook (IZYB) was published by the ZSL as a single bound volume in 1959 and thereafter more-or-less annually. This first volume contained, among other things, articles that focused on new developments in the keeping of great apes in captivity, along with accounts of new ape facilities at the zoos in Antwerp, Zurich, West Berlin, Tokyo and London. It also contained an eight-page ‘International List of Animal Dealers’. This included one L. Gaillard of Buenos Aires, who specialised in supplying

Pumas, Jaguars, Maned Wolves, Wild Cats, Nandus and Wildfowl

and Heini Demmer of Vienna, who specialised in

Gorillas, Okapis, Pigmy Hippos, & other African Fauna; Kiang, Kulan, Siberian Tigers, Snow Leopards and various ruminants from Asia.

It is, of course, unthinkable now that an academic publication associated with zoos would publish such a list, although, at the time, it was perfectly legitimate for animal dealers to sell livestock to zoos, provided they complied with the relevant legislation in force at the time.

The IZYB contains reference sections on international studbooks for rare species and a list of the major zoos and aquariums of the world. In more recent volumes the main articles have focused on a particular theme, for example, reintroductions (Vol. 51, 2017), education (Vol. 50, 2016), reptiles (Vol. 49, 2015), freshwater fishes (Vol. 47, 2013) and bears and canids (Vol. 44, 2010).

The Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine was originally published as the Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine . The first issue was published in 1970 by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, and included the following papers:

Krahwinkel, D. (1970). Primate anesthesiology. The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine , 1(1), 4–9.

Fowler, M., and Gourley, I. (1970). Pyloric stenosis in a Bengal tiger ( Panthera tigris ). The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine , 1(1), 12–16.

Russell, W., Herman, K. and Russell, W. (1970). Colibacillosis in captive wild animals. The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine , 1(1), 17–21.

Fowler, M. and Mottram, W. (1970). Amputation of the tail in an Asian elephant. The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine , 1(1), 22–25.

The first dedicated academic journal published as a periodical for general research on zoos and animals living in zoos was Zoo Biology . The first issue was published in 1982 and contained contributions from giants in their fields, including Frans de Waal, Hal Markowitz, Terry Maple (the founding editor) and Betsy Dresser. Along with colleagues, they reported on social behaviour in a chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) colony, behavioural enrichment in Asian small-clawed river otters ( Aonyx cinereus ), computerised data collection and artificial insemination in Persian leopards ( Panthera pardus saxicolor ):

Maple, T. L. (1982). Toward a unified Zoo Biology. Zoo Biology , 1, 1–3.

Nieuwenhuijsen, K. and de Waal, F. B. M. (1982). Effects of spatial crowding on social behavior in a chimpanzee colony. Zoo Biology , 1, 5–28.

Foster-Turley, P. and Markowitz, H. (1982). A captive behavioral enrichment study with Asian small-clawed river otters ( Aonyx cinereus ). Zoo Biology , 1: 29–43.

Loskutoff, N. M., Ott, J. E. and Lasley, B. L. (1982). Urinary steroid evaluations to monitor ovarian function in exotic ungulates: I. Pregnanediol-3-glucuronide immunoreactivity in the okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ). Zoo Biology , 1, 45–53.

Dresser, B. L., Kramer, L., Reece, B. and Russell, P. T. (1982). Induction of ovulation and successful artificial insemination in a Persian leopard ( Panthera pardus saxicolor ) . Zoo Biology , 1, 55–57.

Popp, J. W. (1982). Observations on the behavior of captive sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei ). Zoo Biology , 1, 59–63.

Gerth, J. M., Lewis, C. M., Stine, W. W. and Maple, T. L. (1982). Evaluation of two computerized data collection devices for research in zoos. Zoo Biology , 1, 65–70.

Recent interests in visitor studies, animal welfare and molecular biology as a conservation tool were reflected in the July/August 2017 issue of the journal, which carried articles about visitor engagement with a research demonstration on turtle cognition, the effects of visitors on ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) behaviour, measurement of stress in golden langurs ( Trachypithecus geei ) and the use of molecular tags in sexing birds of prey. The most recent issue of the journal (Vol. 41, March 2022) contains papers on the social organisation of Hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas ), the attachment of zookeepers to the animals in their care, reproduction in giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), population management in zoos and aquariums, nutrient analysis of ants used as food for pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla ), the dietary management of bears, coprophagy in gorillas ( Gorilla g. gorilla ) and the captive rearing of orphaned wild dogs ( Lycaon pictus ).

An attempt was made to establish a journal dedicated to aquarium research in 1997. Unfortunately, Aquarium Sciences and Conservation ceased publication in 2001 after just three volumes due to lack of contributors. Since 2013 two new open access journals dedicated to zoo research have been established. The first was an initiative of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) – the Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research – and its first issue was published in 2013. The second is the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens , which was first published in 2020 and, to date, has published zoo-based studies almost exclusively, with very few papers of botanical interest.

1.3 What Do Zoo Researchers Research?

A number of papers have considered the nature of zoo research and how this has changed over time. Several of these have analysed the topics covered by articles in Zoo Biology . Care must be taken in interpreting these studies. It is undoubtedly the case that fewer zoo-based studies are published in Zoo Biology than are published elsewhere, and much of the emphasis of the journal is on work conducted in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). If dedicated zoo journals did not exist, zoo research would still be published in journals concerned with, for example, animal behaviour, reproduction and animal welfare, but analysing the topics studied by zoo researchers would be much more difficult. Furthermore, some zoo research is not about animals, and reports of this other work are dispersed among a very wide range of journals concerned with subjects such as visitor studies, cultural history, ethics and law. I am not aware of any review of zoo research that has attempted to gather together and analyse all of the outputs of those who have studied zoos in one form or another. What follows is a brief account of what we know about the nature of zoo research as seen through the eyes of zoo biologists.

1.3.1 Taxonomic Bias and Research Trends

In 1992 Devra Kleiman, working at the Department of Zoological Research at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in Washington, DC, reviewed the historical emphases on behavioural research in zoos and concluded that doing behavioural studies of excellence in zoos and aquariums had become more complicated than was previously the case (Kleiman, Reference Kleiman 1992 ). She attributed this to three factors. First, there had been significant changes in the aims and objectives of modern zoos, with an increasing focus on conservation. Second, there had been changes of focus in the science of animal behaviour. Third, there had been a tendency for trained animal behaviourists to take positions as curators and directors of zoos, leaving them no time to conduct research.

An analysis of the research subjects of 353 papers published in Zoo Biology between 1982 and 1992 found that 287 (81.3%) concerned non-human mammals (Hardy, Reference Hardy, Kleiman, Allen, Thompson and Lumpkins 1996 ). Of these, 29.6% were studies of behaviour or behavioural ecology, a further 5.9% involved behavioural/environmental enrichment and 20.2% were studies of reproductive biology. Only 3.8% of all papers were concerned with genetics or population biology, and just 2.3% involved wildlife management. The remaining studies were concerned with nutrition and diet (3.5%), exhibit design and evaluation (1.2%), veterinary medicine (5.6%), captive management (24%) and morphology and development (5.6%).

An examination of 349 papers published in the same journal between 1996 and mid-2004 suggested a significant change in the direction of research carried out in zoos (Rees, Reference Rees 2005b ). Reproductive studies replaced behaviour as the largest category (34%). This was followed by studies of nutrition, growth and development (19%) and behaviour and enrichment (17%). Only 2% of studies were concerned with ecology, field biology, conservation and reintroduction, but there was an increase in papers on taxonomy, genetics and population biology (10%).

An analysis of trends in the 395 research articles published in Zoo Biology in its first 15 years indicated a taxonomic bias towards mammals (73% of articles), with only 10% of articles on birds, 7% on reptiles and 7% on invertebrates (Wemmer et al., Reference Wemmer, Rodden and Pickett 1997 ). The predominant research areas were behaviour and reproduction, with, surprisingly, only a small number of papers on demography and genetics. Most papers were multi-authored and arose from institutions in the United States, with 26% of papers resulting from collaborative efforts between zoos and universities. The authors noted that almost one-third of papers were produced by the academic community and did not involve collaborations with zoos or aquariums. They concluded that there was a shortage of research-oriented staff in zoos and that the taxonomic bias discovered was in part the result of many authors publishing in taxon-specific journals.

Information from 991 articles published in Zoo Biology in its first 25 years (1982–2006) was evaluated by Anderson et al. ( Reference Anderson, Kelling and Maple 2008 ). They found that most articles were descriptive accounts that included inferential statistics and/or biological analyses, most concerned captive animals and they concentrated on mammalian behaviour and reproduction, especially in primates (35.5%). Carnivora were the second most popular subjects (23.4% of articles), followed by Artiodactyla (13.9%), Proboscidea (8.8%) and Perissodactyla (6.0%) ( Fig. 1.2 ). The majority of first authors were affiliated with zoos or universities in the United States. Trends during this 25-year period indicated a significant increase in papers that were experimental and dealt with applied science, diet and nutrition, and a significant decrease in descriptive papers, work concerning basic science, behaviour and population biology. The number of collaborative articles also increased with time.

Fig.1.2 A researcher studying white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum ) in a British safari park.

A highly skewed distribution across 15 research subject categories was found in an analysis of 904 projects conducted in British and Irish zoos (Semple, Reference Semple 2002 ). Behavioural studies represented the largest category (40%), followed by studies of environmental enrichment (18%) and reproduction (8%). Studies of the genetics, ecology or conservation of a species were poorly represented, comprising just 5% of all projects.

The popularity of particular research areas is not necessarily reflected in the number of published studies, and discrepancies occur between the number of studies undertaken and the number published (Hardy, Reference Hardy, Kleiman, Allen, Thompson and Lumpkins 1996 ). For example, behavioural and behavioural ecology studies made up 22.8% of 302 research projects carried out on mammals by zoo staff in 40 American zoos, but only 5.3% of studies published in the same period (Wiese et al . , Reference Wiese, Hutchins, Willis and Becker 1992 ). Only 19.5% of studies undertaken were concerned with reproductive physiology, but they accounted for almost 31% of all published studies. Natural history or fieldwork studies represented 23.1% of all published studies but only 16.6% of studies conducted.

Some taxa are very poorly represented in zoo research programmes. A survey of the research activity and conservation programmes of 52 North American zoo reptile and amphibian departments found that, of 164 technical papers produced between 1987 and 1997 by the 22 respondent institutions, 79% were conducted by just three institutions and only 16 field studies were reported (Card et al., Reference Card, Roberts and Odum 1998 ). Funding specifically for research was received by just one institution. The authors of the study concluded that zoo herpetology departments were not realising their potential for formalised research and conservation projects.

Lankard ( Reference Lankard 2001 ) listed and categorised 957 publications produced in 1999–2000 by the member institutions of the AZA. Ecology/field conservation/reintroduction was the largest research category by far (27%). The second largest category was veterinary medicine/physiology (15%), followed by behaviour/ethology (9%). Studies of reproductive physiology/technology amounted to only 7% of the total, and nutrition accounted for just 3%. However, with regard to research output this is misleading because the documents examined encompassed a wide range of publications from status reports on individual taxa and recovery plans to papers on how to use a compass and how to make weather recordings. Publications ranged in quality from papers in peer-reviewed journals to technical handbooks, studbooks and items in newsletters.

In an investigation into the gaps in our knowledge of zoo animal management and welfare, Melfi ( Reference Melfi 2009 ) identified three areas. First, research tended to focus on indicators of poor rather than good welfare. Second, animal husbandry and housing have been historically based on tradition rather than science. Third, a lack of species-specific baseline biological data for many species inhibits zoo research. Melfi noted that, at the time her work was published, studies of animal welfare in zoos had focused mostly on mammals, especially primates, large felids, bears and elephants.

The research contributions of institutions belonging to Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) with respect to biodiversity conservation were analysed for the first time by Pyott and Schulte-Hostedde ( Reference Pyott and Schulte-Hostedde 2020 ). They found that CAZA members published most in the area of veterinary science, but there were publications in biodiversity conservation. The institution’s age, research-oriented mission statements and financial assets were significant predictors of research productivity, but overall CAZA institutions published significantly less than members of the AZA based in the United States. This is not surprising as several AZA members have research institutes devoted to conservation.

Research output conducted between 2009 and 2018 has been systematically analysed by Rose et al. ( Reference Rose, Brereton, Rowden, de Figueiredo and Riley 2019 ). They examined 1,434 papers and the species holdings of zoos recorded in the IZYB (2009–2018). The authors concluded that zoo-themed research has been slowly filling research gaps for an increasing number of species. However, their data set confirmed the bias towards research on mammals, with Carnivora (154 papers) and Primates (294 papers) being represented in more papers than all those covering birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes put together (204 papers). Rose et al. ( Reference Rose, Brereton, Rowden, de Figueiredo and Riley 2019 ) found just 17 papers published on zoo-applicable invertebrate research from 2011 to 2018, most of which were concerned broadly with welfare. During the time period examined, a steady increase in publications was detected only for birds. Rose et al. concluded that most publications lead to a specific advancement of knowledge, including the validation of research methodologies, and that zoo-themed research made a meaningful contribution to science. However, they noted that trends in species holdings were not reflected in publication trends.

Bajomi et al. ( Reference Bajomi, Pullin, Stewart and Takács-Sánta 2010 ) examined 3,826 publications concerned with animal reintroductions and found that the literature was biased in favour of vertebrates (especially mammals and birds). They concluded that managers working with invertebrates and amphibians are less willing and/or less able to publish their work than those working with mammals and birds.

1.4 The Rise of Research as a Core Activity of Zoos

In Europe systematic scholarly work in menageries began in the mid-1600s and expanded during the Enlightenment (Baratay and Hardouin-Fugier, Reference Baratay and Hardouin-Fugier 2002 ). Early zoo research was focused on studies of anatomy, physiology and systematics.

By the end of the twentieth century there was evidence of an increased emphasis on research in American zoos. Stoinski et al. ( Reference Stoinski, Lukas and Maple 1998 ) surveyed 173 North American zoos and aquariums and identified an increase in the role of research in AZA institutions in the previous decade, and a doubling of the number of researchers per institution since 1986. However, they found that the most common reasons for American zoos not conducting research were lack of funds, time and qualified personnel. More recently, the factors facilitating research in AZA-accredited zoos have been examined by analysing a questionnaire completed by 231 zoo professionals (Anderson et al., Reference Anderson, Maple and Bloomsmith 2010 ). The majority of respondents conducted behavioural research on animals in a captive setting, held a curatorial position and had their salaries supported by the operating budget of their institution. Approximately 30% held doctorates, 19% held master’s degrees, 34% held bachelor’s degrees and 2% held other types of degree. The majority of respondents considered that they were part of a successful scientific programme and they judged that the two most important factors that contributed to this success were support from the chief executive officer and personnel dedicated to conducting scientific programmes.

A survey conducted by EAZA in 2005 found that only 25 (8.3%) of its 301 members had a research department and only about 33% had a research policy. Many EAZA members did not have a research budget and did not disseminate research findings in a publicly accessible format (Reid, Reference Reid 2007 ). EAZA subsequently launched a research strategy and action plan entitled Developing the Research Potential of Zoos and Aquariums .

In spite of this, most of the research conducted in EAZA zoos is produced by a small number of zoos. In the period 1998–2018 the 393 EAZA members contributed a total of 3,345 peer-reviewed papers to the scientific literature (Welden et al., Reference Welden, Stelvig and Nielsen 2020 ). During this time period more than two-thirds of EAZA members published, with the last decade of the period experiencing a three-fold increase. However, only seven institutions produced more than 100 papers each (representing 37% of the total). The top 10 publishing EAZA institutions produced a total of 1,458 papers: 43.6% of the total. The publication of this research led to an immediate response from staff at the ZSL, who claimed that their research had been under-represented by Welden et al. ( Reference Welden, Stelvig and Nielsen 2020 ) as much of the Society’s work is published under the auspices of the Institute of Zoology, and individual staff are not associated with either of the ZSL’s two zoos (Koldewey et al., Reference Koldewey, Christie and Curnick 2020 ).

At least some of the recent interest in zoo research has been driven by changes to international and European Union law. Article 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 requires parties – almost all of the countries in the world – to adopt measures for the ex-situ conservation of biodiversity. Regrettably the United States has chosen to remain outside the Convention.

Within the European Union, Article 9 has been implemented by the Zoos Directive (Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999), which requires zoos and aquariums to adopt a conservation role. One of the ways in which Member States may comply with the Directive is by undertaking research from which conservation benefits accrue. When I examined the nature of zoo research some five years after the adoption of the Directive in 1999 I concluded that most zoo research at that time had been concerned with animal behaviour, environmental enrichment, nutrition and reproduction, and was therefore largely irrelevant to ex-situ conservation (Rees, Reference Rees 2005b ). I suggested that it was unlikely that zoos would increase their output of conservation-relevant research because most do not have adequate human or financial resources. The Directive did not make research a mandatory activity for zoos, it is merely one of the ways in which zoos may comply. They may also comply by engaging in training, information exchange or captive breeding. As most, if not all, zoos already engaged in at least one of these activities before the Directive was adopted, I argued that they could effectively comply by doing nothing new.

The leaders of modern progressive zoos want to engage with research. Many keepers are now well qualified at least in part because of the expansion of higher education courses aimed specifically at training them (see Section 3.14.1 ). In the United Kingdom, as the number of dedicated courses in universities has expanded there has, of necessity, been a concomitant expansion in specialist academic staff. More university staff interested in zoos has led to more postgraduate research, more collaboration with zoos, more publications and more dedicated journals.

1.5 The Grey Literature

Zoo professionals are in a unique position to gather data on many aspects of the husbandry of their animals. In many, if not most, cases their efforts result in the collection of data that are unsuitable for publication in academic journals because they are not collected in a systematic manner, the sample size is too small to yield statistically significant results, the information collected is anecdotal in nature, or for some other reason. This does not mean, however, that the information has no value, and many interesting articles have been published in the ‘grey literature’: documents published outside the normal academic channels. This may be within husbandry manuals or zoo reports, or in publications such as International Zoo News , Ratel (the journal of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)), Connect (the magazine of AZA) and The Shape of Enrichment . Articles in publications of this type are not peer-reviewed, but many are written by experienced keepers, zoo curators and directors, and others with knowledge of zoos and animals living in zoos, including academics.

The knowledge and expertise of zoo professionals should not be underestimated. It is not uncommon for those of us who study the behaviour of animals living in zoos to inform keepers of the results of our scientific studies only to be met with the response, ‘Yes … we know.’ Indeed, if our scientific findings differed markedly from what experienced keepers know about their animals, we should perhaps question our methodology.

1.6 Zoo Research Is Not Just About Animals

Zoos have attracted interest from academics across a very wide range of disciplines and to the best of my knowledge there has been no attempt at a comprehensive survey of all of the zoo-related peer-reviewed work that has been published. This would be difficult because, although a small number of dedicated journals exist, most of which are affiliated to zoological organisations – Zoo Biology (AZA), Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine , Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research (EAZA), International Zoo Yearbook (ZSL) and Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens – a great deal of zoo research is published in journals that have a wider remit. My own work on zoos and animals living in zoos has appeared in Zoo Biology , the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science , Applied Animal Behaviour Science and International Zoo News , and, less predictably, the Journal of Zoology , the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society , the African Journal of Ecology , the Journal of Thermal Biology , Oryx and the Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy .

1.7 Conclusion

Zoos feature in research from a very wide range of academic disciplines, from animal behaviour and veterinary science to history, sociology, law, ethics, architecture, visitor studies and tourism. The studies that have been made of zoo research have focused to a very large extent on the animals. One of the main purposes of this book is to introduce the reader to the many other aspects of zoos that have been studied, including those which have evaded detection by the reviews focused purely on animal biology.

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• Zoos and Research
• Paul A. Rees
• Book: Zoo Studies
• Online publication: 12 May 2023
• Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108566049.002

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The Case for Zoos: A Scientist’s Perspective

Andrew Cunningham

Deputy Director of Science

Andrew Cunningham, Deputy Director of Science, considers why zoos are important... and whether we actually need them at all any more. 

How can zoos justify their ongoing existence in this modern age, when information and images of any species under the sun is just a click of the mouse away?

Certainly this is a question that even I still ask myself occasionally, two years away from my 30 year anniversary as a veterinarian and conservation scientist within the Zoological Society of London’s academic faculty, the Institute of Zoology.

Working for a research institution linked to one of the world’s most famous zoos means we’re able to see first-hand the impact zoos have on conservation, with global research projects benefitting from the input and support from zoos.  

Do all zoos deserve to keep operating?

Certainly standards of animal welfare, enrichment and conservation work in the zoos of many developed countries have come on leaps and bounds in recent decades, but there are still sadly zoos in some parts of the world where radical improvements in animal welfare and management are required.

All zoos should not be tarred with the one brush, however. 

The positive effects of zoos

Let’s also consider the many positive impacts that well-managed, scientific zoos can have.

For example, there are few more effective ways to demonstrate the amazing diversity of life on Earth to those who don’t have the privilege of seeing the huge range of wild animals in their natural habitats around the world.

Enabling visitors to see animals up close has a lasting effect on how they view the natural world.

The concepts of zoos as ‘arks’ can be overblown at times but, speaking as someone with a background in wildlife veterinary science, I can personally vouch for how important insights gained in zoos can be for the conservation of wildlife in the field, both in terms of understanding animal behaviour and for exploring best-practice in managing threatened species in their natural habitats. 

The project I was involved in to save vultures from extinction in Asia was just one field conservation project that very clearly benefited from insights gained in zoos – the design and management of breeding centres was informed by the zoological world, and knowledge gained from investigating and treating disease in zoo animals proved invaluable in the wild.

Other examples include the ongoing battle against the chytrid fungus that’s currently devastating amphibian populations worldwide.

Again, zoos like ZSL and our partners around the world have a definite role to play in terms of maintaining breeding populations in captivity for species facing imminent extinction in the wild and in bringing this important story to the public through our exhibits.

Public knowledge and pressure inform human behaviours and government policies which, in turn, impact the conservation of animals in the wild.  

Modern zoos maintain high animal welfare standards while also running conservation projects in the field. They do, however, need to keep pushing themselves to demonstrate and communicate the impacts their work is having on the ground, including the incorporation of public outreach both locally and at conservation field sites.

There is a need for greater collaboration between those at the coal face of zoological science and those managing animal collections, to ensure this connection between zoos, field conservation and public education is as tangible, genuine and widely-understood as possible.

But given the dramatic and accelerating collapse in biodiversity currently being witnessed all around the world, the case for responsibly-managed zoos remains strong.

We know we can, and we will, find the solutions to create a better future, because the possibilities to revive nature are endless if we stand together.

Research Projects

Zoo research facilitates translocation of critically endangered black rhinos back to northern kenya.

February 19, 2024

In a boost for rhino conservation, 21 critically endangered black rhinos were translocated back to Loisaba, northern Kenya, where they have been extinct for half a century. This translocation was facilitated by technology and research methodologies developed by  Chester Zoo , as part of their long-term research into rhino hormone monitoring.

Researchers from Smithsonian Zoo Develop New Technique for Coral Cryopreservation

September 18, 2023

Great news for coral conservation, as a new technique for cryopreserving and reviving entire coral fragments has been developed by researchers from Smithsonian’s National Zoo and several universities. This methodology facilitates the quick collection and preservation of coral fragments, which can be a vital tool in securing coral biodiversity and genetic diversity .

Oregon Zoo’s Polar Bear is Helping Researchers Test & Refine Technology for I n Situ Research

January 27, 2023

The " Burr on Furr " device is a new prototype technology designed to help researchers tracking the difficult-to-observe polar bears in their natural environment. A polar bear at Oregon Zoo is playing an important role in the development of this technology, by helping researchers test and refine it prior to its use on in situ animals.

Zoo-Supported Research Project Aims to Understand Elephant Bull Movements in Botswana

December 19, 2022

An in situ research project led by Elephants for Africa , and supported by several zoos, aims to shed light on the movements of male elephants in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana. Ten bulls will be outfitted with satellite trackers , and their movement patterns studied, to understand where they are spending their time while travelling through. This information can help reducing poaching and human-wildlife conflicts.

Canadian Zoo Gives Home to Rescued Polar Bears & Conducts Research to Advance Ex Situ & In Situ Management of the Species

November 2, 2022

The Assiniboine Park & Zoo, in Manitoba (Canada), currently houses nine polar bears that were found orphaned in the wild with minimal chance of survival. These bears lost their mothers due to natural circumstances or human-wildlife conflicts , a common occurrence in the north of Manitoba . The zoo's " Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre " provides a home to those bears while educating visitors, supporting conservation , and conducting research with applications to the management of polar bears in human care and in the wild. 

Researchers Decode Complete Genome of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise Thanks to Decades-Old Animal at Zoo Zürich

October 14, 2022.

Researchers from the University of Zurich & partners have decoded the genome of the Aldabra giant tortoise , thanks to a decades-old tortoise housed at Zoo Zürich . This new information is vital to determine genetic diversity in the populations of this species, aiding breeding and reintroduction programmes, and further research on the lifespan and age of these animals.

Data from Species360 ZIMS Shows Slow to No Aging in Some Testudines

July 1, 2022

Groundbreaking new research by Species360 and the University of Southern Denmark found that some species, like turtles and tortoises , exhibit slow to negligible aging in favourable conditions. Using data from Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) , they found that 75% of the 52 studied zoo-housed testudines showed extremely slow aging, with 80% of them exhibiting slower aging than modern humans.

US Rhinos Fitted With Activity Trackers

June 6, 2022

Some of the rhinos at Disney's Animal Kingdom  have been fitted with activity trackers , part of a multi-institutional, US-wide, research project. The diurnal and nocturnal  activities,, walking and running   patterns, and enclosure use will all be monitored thanks to the GPS and accelerometers in the trackers. This research will have applications to rhino management and husbandry in human care.

Cryoperservation of Rare Species for Conservation

May 24, 2022

A team of scientists from Chester Zoo and experts on animal reproduction have founded Nature's SAFE : one of the largest living biobanks in Europe. Tissue samples are cryogenically frozen and stored, so they can be used to generate sperm and eggs i n the future, aiding conservation efforts. They already have stored multiple cell types from over 100 threatened species, with dozens of contributions from Chester Zoo itself!

Sounds of Asian Elephants Revealed by Zoo Research

April 20, 2022

A ’ trumpet ’, a ‘ rumble ’, a ‘ roar ’ and a ‘ chirp ’: the four sounds  of Asian elephants, detected in a research project at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo . Acoustic loggers were used alongside behavioural observation s to learn more about Asian elephant communication, with potential applications to elephant research & conservation in the wild . 

Numbat Genome Sequenced With Perth Zoo's Help

March 7, 2022

In a  world's first , the genome  of the endangered numbat  has been sequenced by scientists from the The University of Western Australia . The numbat sample used for sequencing was provided by Perth Zoo , the only institution breeding this species under a successful ex situ programme that has seen the release of over 220  individuals into the wild .

Melbourne Zoo's Blood Bank is Great Tool for Animal Care & Research

March 5, 2022

Melbourne Zoo's blood serum bank keeps over 18,000 samples, some of them from the 1990s. As a collection of blood of zoo  and wild  animals from a wide range of taxonomic groups, it not only facilitates animal care and health management but it is also a great tool for scientific research .

World's First Pilot Study of EEHV Vaccine is Now Underway!

February 4, 2022

Now underway is the world's first pilot study of a new vaccine against the Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) - a major threat against captive and wild Asian elephants ! Developed by Chester Zoo & University of Surrey , this new vaccine showed encouraging initial results in the trials. This study is also supported by other zoos, highlighting the importance of zoo research  to the conservation of wild populations.

2022 Polar Bear Research Masterplan Released

January 27, 2022

The  Polar Bears International  and the  Association of Zoos and Aquariums 's Polar Bear Species Survival Plan  have released the 2022 Polar Bear Research Masterplan . This document provides guidance for research on this species in zoos and aquariums, including priority topics and contributions to in situ research.

Zoo Snow Leopards Participating in Study To Facilitate Conservation Efforts for their Wild Counterparts

December 19, 2021

The technology and methodologies used in research & conservation efforts for wild animals are often developed, tested & optimised with the help of their zoo-housed counterparts...

The snow leopards at Korkeasaaren eläintarha are participating in a study led by Snow Leopard Trust , which aims to determine the accuracy of using camera images to survey the population of wild snow leopards.

Findings of Largest-Ever Cetacean Welfare Study Have Been Published!

September 15, 2021

The findings of the largest-ever cetacean welfare study have been published! This study, led by University of California Irvine , Chicago Zoological Society/ Brookfield Zoo and University of Florida , analysed data on bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales & white-sided dolphins from 43 institutions in seven countries.

This study provides new findings, information and tools to enhance cetacean welfare, including a new app " ZooPhysioTrak ", a database of health and welfare biomarkers to assist institutions with their assessments.

Photo: Georgia Aquarium

"Library of DNA" Stored Underground at Antwerp Zoo

May 25, 2021

Safely kept underground at Antwerp Zoo is a Biobank , containing all sorts of samples from a variety of species. This "library of DNA", which can be preserved in "super freezers" for a very long time, is a very important research tool that can help conservation efforts for threatened species.

Rotterdam Zoo is "Field Lab" for Technological Innovations

May 10, 2021

The  Diergaarde Blijdorp/Rotterdam Zoo is a "field lab" for  Technische Universiteit Delft , providing the grounds for testing technological innovations in water management and green energy production. Some of the projects include energy production from polluted water ponds, wastewater purification using plants and rainwater storage and reusing.

Scientific Breakthrough with the Production of the First Female Bison Pregnancy Using Sex-Sorted Sperm 

May 2, 2021

A team of researchers achieved a scientific breakthrough by producing the first ever female bison pregnancy via artificial insemination using sex-sorted sperm. This achievement is the result of a partnership between  Toronto Zoo  and  University of Saskatchewan , which aims to facilitate conservation breeding efforts for the wood bison by increasing the number of females in herds.

Rotterdam Zoo & Wageningen University Collaborating on Research on Asian Elephant Genetic Health

April 16, 2021

The Rotterdam Zoo  &  Wageningen University  are collaborating on a large-scale research study on the genetic health of captive and wild Asian elephants, a project that has just been awarded a grant by  NWO (Dutch Research Council)..

Rotterdam Zoo manages the EAZA Ex-Situ Programme (EEP) for the Asian elephant and this research will help informing conservation efforts for this endangered species.

Brookfield Zoo's Wild Dolphin Research Program is the Longest-Running in the World

April 5, 2021

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program has been running for 50 years - the world's longest-running study of wild dolphins. Both the research programme and the Sarasota dolphin population are used as models for other dolphin research & conservation programmes.

The programme has been operated by Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo since 1989.

Research at French Zoo Helping to Refine Robot for Penguin Research in the Wild

March 16, 2021

A research project at Parc zoologique de Paris , with CNRS & Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien - IPHC , is assessing the behavioural response of the zoo-housed Humboldt penguins to two remotely controlled robots. The aim is to refine the design of the robots, so they can be used to approach and study penguin populations in the natural habitat.

Research on Zoo Elephants Helping to Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflicts in the Wild

February 26, 2021

Zoo Research for In-Situ Conservation! The elephants at  ZSL Whipsnade Zoo  are an integral part of a project that is developing technology to reduce human-wildlife conflicts in Africa & Asia.

A database of thermal images from the zoo-housed elephants is being used to set up cameras to recognise elephants based on their body heat. These cameras can detect nearby elephants, at day or night, and send an alert!

Perspective: "Unleashing the conservation potential of captive parrots by enabling wild behaviours"

January 27, 2021

Our own director Ricardo and his PhD supervisor, Dr. Jackie Chappell, wrote a perspective piece on the importance of enabling natural behaviours in captive parrots, not only for animal welfare in captivity but also for the conservation of their wild counterparts! This is part of Ricardo's PhD research at the University of Birmingham.

First Evidence of Biofluorescence in Tasmanian Devils Documented by Zoo Researchers

December 16, 2020

The researchers at The Toledo Zoo documented what is believed to be the first evidence of biofluorescence in Tasmanian devils. Despite the exciting findings, there is much we don't know about this phenomenon in this species and further research is required!

Loro Parque Supports Research for Threatened Ray Species

October 14, 2020

🌊Loro Parque supports in-situ research for the mantelina, a threatened ray species. The acoustic tagging of some wild individuals, which took place last week, will allow researchers to find out more about the species' habitat use in the Canary Islands.

Younger Singaporeans More Likely to Support Conservation - WRS Survey

October 2, 2020

A survey conducted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) found that younger Singaporeans are more likely to support conservation efforts... ☑️Ages 16-24: 50% claimed to support conservation efforts; ☑️Ages 45-54: only 20% claimed to do so. ☑️61% claimed the biggest barrier to support conservation was not knowing where to begin. ☑️WRS suggests volunteering to start with!

☑️61% of visitors to WRS zoos learned new facts about animals during visits. ☑️31% of the visiting children showed increased interest in caring for biodiversity.

Zoo-Supported Project by Polar Bears International is Monitoring Polar Bear Movements & Sea Ice Extensions

July 24, 2020

Supported by several zoos, Polar Bears International is tracking the polar bear movements and sea ice extensions in Hudson Bay. This research is fundamental to further understand how polar bears are coping with the on-going melting of the sea ice, caused by climate change.

Zoo-Supported Research is Allowing to Track & Study Red Pandas in the Wild

June 08, 2020

As part of a long-term monitoring initiative by Red Panda Network, 10 red pandas were fitted with GPS collars and are being tracked in the forests of Ilam (in the border between Nepal and India). This research is a result of a collaboration between several institutions, including the government of Nepal,  Rotterdam Zoo & others, and will allow to learn more about the ecology of this endangered species.

Sun Bear ExSitu Research: Priority Topics

June 02, 2020

If you are interested in doing research on sun bears, have a look at this list of priority topics you can focus on... This document was put together by Free the Bears & the IUCN Bear Specialist Group, with support from partners.

Zoo Attendance Increases with Number, Size and Rareness of Animals

February 05, 2020

A new published study showed that zoos that house more and larger animals have greater attendance, which then results in greater contributions to in-situ conservation! Unusual species and proximity to large populations also positively impacts attendance...

This study was the result of a collaboration between Trinity College Dublin, Species360 & National University of Ireland, Galway, and provides valuable information for zoos to manage (and potentially improve) their attendance.

Living Coasts' New Partnership and Project for the Protection of Torbay's Seagrass Meadows

January 28, 2020

Zoo Conservation, Research and Education in Action at Wild Planet Trust's Living Coasts! In partnership with Valeport, this project aims to protect Torbay's seagrass meadows, the wildlife-rich "underwater gardens" with an important function in fighting climate change, via scientific research and public education!

"Boom Boom Boom": Researchers Record New Crocodile Vocalisation at Australian Wildlife Park

December 08, 2019

What do crocodiles say? A team of researchers has recorded a new vocalisation while studying the saltwater crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. The "boom boom boom"-like sound seems to be associated with displays but its meaning is still unknown. Learning more about crocodile communication will help improving management in captivity and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in the wild.

Data Provided By Zoos and Aquariums Vital for Species Conservation: Wildlife Experts Say

December 02, 2019

Zoos and aquariums are holders and contributors of extensive data and knowledge on the biology of many taxa - a vital tool in wildlife conservation. How are these data helping to save species? Wildlife experts explain it, in the following video, by Species360.

Mystic Aquarium's Research Programme Advancing Knowledge and Conservation on Beluga Whales

November 20, 2019

Once approved by the relevant authorities, five beluga whales will be transferred from Marineland (Canada) to the Mystic Aquarium (US), to join their three beluga whales in their conservation-focused research programme on this species.

"Beluga studies at Sea Research Foundation advance knowledge of immune responses (i.e., to infections, toxins, and other stressors), indicators of health (i.e., general and reproduction and behavior), hearing and sound issues, diving physiology, and non-invasive study techniques."

Enclosure Design Tool: Enabling Wildtype Behaviours in Captive Animals

November 08, 2019

Did you know the "Chimpanzee Eden" enclosure at Twycross Zoo, featured in the photo, was designed in collaboration with the University of Birmingham​, under the “ Enclosure Design Tool (EDT) ” project? The structural complexity within was designed to encourage specific wildtype behaviours and research showed it was successful at doing so! Our director Ricardo’s PhD project also falls under the EDT project and it aims at developing an extension of it to Parrot species, in collaboration with other zoo partners!

Zoo Elephants Helping to Develop Warning Thermal Camera System to Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflicts

November 05, 2019

The elephants at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo​ are helping Arribada conservation tech initiative to develop a warning thermal camera system, which will be used to warn communities of nearby elephants and reduce the risk of injuries and consequent human-wildlife conflicts. Another example of how zoo animals contribute to the conservation of their wild counterparts! 

New Research Shows More Birds in Indonesian Households than in the Wild

September 20, 2019

New study, by Manchester Metropolitan University and Chester Zoo, showed there are potentially more birds in households in Indonesia than in the wild, which is threatening the future survival of wild song bird populations.

The EAZA's  Silent Forest Campaign  has been running since October 2017, fundraising for Asian song bird conservation and undertaking educational and awareness activities.

How Can Sound Impact Visitor Experience in the Zoo?

May 14, 2019

The power of sound... New research aims to find out if zoo visitors would get more out of their visit if they listened more carefully! Bristol Zoo Gardens and Paignton Zoo are involved in this exciting project.

New Study Shows Major Role Zoos & Aquariums Play in Improving Our Knowledge of Species Demographics!

April 30, 2019

A new paper by Species360 shows a massive gap in our knowledge of species demographics, vital for effective conservation strategies, and highlights the major role zoos and aquariums have in filling this gap.

San Diego Zoo May Have Found Reason For White Rhino's Low Fertility!

April 11, 2019

Researchers from San Diego Zoo may have found the reason behind low fertility in southern white rhinos, which is related to the gut microbiome in females. These findings may not only help boosting captive population numbers in this subspecies (classified as "Vulnerable" to extinction) but also help saving the northern white rhino, another subspecies, which is facing the risk of immediate extinction as there are only two (old) females left in the world.

New Study Highlights Conservation Potential of World Aquariums!

March 04, 2019

A new study by Species360, in partnership with IUCN Species Survival Commission and other institutions, highlights the great conservation potential of world aquariums, which hold 21% of coral species vulnerable to climate change.

Study by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Sheds New Light on the Scottish Wildcat's Plight and Offers Hope for its Future

December 20, 2018

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, or RZSS, conducted an invaluable study which ultimately concluded that there are few Scottish wildcats left in the wilds of Scotland that showcase the necessary physical and genetic standards that inarguably distinguish them from domestic feral cats. It concretely illustrated the extent of hybridization between Scottish wildcats and their domestic counterparts. The study also concluded, on a more positive note, that these desired characteristics are by far more prominent in captive populations. This gives the Scottish wildcat hope for the future. The survival of the Scottish wildcat and its already limited gene pool now arguably rests in the hands of institutions, such as the RZSS, that will increase the genetic diversity of this dwindling species through captive breeding programs. 

EAZA Research: Why and How?

December 17, 2018

Research, both in the wild and captivity, is one of the main roles of modern zoos & aquariums, and EAZA members are involved in very important scientific studies. Find out how 👇

Ground-Breaking Cognitive Enrichment Device Developed for Captive Gorillas!

November 25, 2018

A collaboration between Bristol Zoo Gardens and the University of Bristol has resulted in a ground-breaking new computer technology, integrated with cognitive animal enrichment. This device does not only allow researchers to further investigate the way great apes solve problems, but also has the potential to enhance the welfare of these animals in captivity.

Portuguese Aquarium Funds Two Research Projects on Threatened Marine Species!

November 21, 2018

The Oceanário de Lisboa and Oceano Azul Foundation (Portugal) have just contributed with €150K to two research projects: (1) the "Whale Tales Project", awarded with €50K, is focussed on the poorly studied habitat use of the threatened (i.e. "Vulnerable") sperm whale in Madeira Islands; (2) the "Eel Trek" project, which received €100K, studies the complex migratory behaviour of the critically endangered European eel.  Both these studies will be of great use to the conservation of these threatened species and therefore the financial contribution of these institutions is of great importance for scientific research and wildlife conservation.

Photo: Sperm Whale in Azores Islands, by Hiroya Minakuchi

BIAZA Handbook of Zoo & Aquarium Research

October 02, 2018

Have a look at the BIAZA's research resources, useful for any zoo science enthusiast, including the must-read "BIAZA Handbook of Zoo & Aquarium Research".

Mating Seasonality of Zoo Carnivores Similar to their Wild Counterparts!

June 05, 2018

Researchers from the University of Zurich have studied 150.000 birth records for more than 100 zoo-housed (carnivore) species, helping to understand more about the biology of these species. It was found that, for most of the species, seasonality was very similar between zoo-housed animals and their wild counterparts.

Keeping and sharing data are key tasks of an effective zoo management, and they are made easier by Species360's ZIMS tool!

Measuring Dolphin Welfare in Captvitiy

May 28, 2018

A research project has tried to understand a little bit of the dolphins' perspective to their lives in captivity. The results showed that dolphins look forward to interact with their human caretakers, which suggests that better human-animal relationships result in better animal welfare.

Chester Zoo's Research: PhD student Studying Behaviour of African Dogs, Using their Poo!

May 27, 2018

"A lot of my time has been spent surrounded by dog poo in the lab"... These are the words of Chester Zoo's conservation scholar, Rhiannon Bolton, a PhD student from the University of Liverpool that has been studying the social behaviour of the African painted dogs at the zoo! Because all #ZooScience is amazing, even when it involves a lot of poo.

Zoos as Science Boosters

March 28, 2018

"Zoos as Science Boosters" is our new article, featured by ZooSpensefull! We discussed why the contribution of zoos to science is so important to animal welfare, wildlife conservation and to our general knowledge on the natural world.

Zoo-Coordinated Project Helping to Save the Last Harbour Porpoises in the Baltic Sea

February 24, 2018

Sambah - Static Acoustic Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Harbour Porpoise, a project coordinated by Kolmården Wildlife Park and supported by other zoos and institutions, has been responsible for vital research on wild harbour porpoises. The Head of Research at this zoo had been researching the communication of the zoo's bottlenose dolphins for years, and that research was found to have important applications to track and survey harbour porpoises in the wild. Another example of zoos' vital contributions to in-situ research and conservation.

New Study Announced on Behaviour and Welfare of Captive Marine Mammals

January 15, 2018

A new study, announced by Chicago Zoological Society, will investigate the effects of habitat, enrichment and training on the behaviour and welfare of captive marine mammals. Using "Fitbit" devices to track and monitor the movement and behaviour of the animals, this study will include 300 dolphins and 20 beluga whales from 44 institutions.

New Lemur Species Found Thanks to Omaha Zoo's Genetics Lab

January 13, 2018

Did you know that 24 of the 113 lemur species were found by Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium? The Groves' dwarf lemur is the species that was recently identified, thanks to this zoo's Conservation Genetics lab. Another example of the contribution of zoos to research and conservation.

Sumatran Rhino's Past Revealed After Scientists Sequenced their Genome

December 15, 2017

The Sumatran rhino genome has been sequenced, with help from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This new evidence suggests that the population size and genetic diversity in this species declined drastically thousands of years ago, making them vulnerable to later human pressures.

Research Projects on Conservation of Sharks and Rays Funded By Portuguese Aquarium

December 07, 2017

Oceanário de Lisboa and Oceano Azul Foundation have funded three research projects on the conservation of sharks and rays. These three projects were awarded €100.000 after being selected out of 23 applications, and they include a variety of subjects, from habitats and ecosystems to technology and social sciences.

Brazilian Zoo Partners with Local Institutions to Research Noise Levels in Animal Enclosures

November 23, 2017

Zoológico de Brasília has partnered with a local university (UniCEUB) and Instituto Brasília Ambiental - IBRAM to investigate the noise produced by visitors within the zoo. The aims are to identify how much the animals are exposed to noise and develop structures in the enclosure to protect them from it. First results suggest that a glass barrier in the rhino enclosure reduced the noise intensity level by 21 decibels.

Photo: © Toninho Tavares/Agência Brasília

"Data Science and Zoos & Aquariums", by Species360

November 08, 2017

Modern zoos and aquariums play an important role in preserving the world's declining biodiversity! To succeed, the world's zoo and aquarium community must work together, keep good records/data and share information and expertise with each other.

"5 Ways Your Zoo Uses Science Everyday" by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

September 17, 2017

Zoo science at its finest... From behaviour to building capacity, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo shows us 5 ways zoos use science everyday!

Attempted Artificial Insemination of Southern White Rhino at San Diego Safari Park

August 04, 2017

Artificial insemination has been attempted on a southern white rhino, at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This is part of a collaborative project to develop assisted reproductive techniques for the critically endangered northern white rhino. There are only three of these left in the world, and these news represent a big step for their conservation.

Activity of Cincinnati Zoo's Penguins is Being Monitored Using a Fit-Bit Like Device!

July 15, 2017

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is monitoring the time their penguins spend in water, by using an activity tracker device that is similar to a fit-bit. The idea is to identify what can be done to tackle the bumblefoot problem these animals are prone to develop.

Study on Zoo Animals Helps Understanding Lateralisation of Splay Behaviour in Giraffes

June 27, 2017

By studying zoo animals, we can more easily learn about the natural world. Svoke (2017) has studied the lateralisation of splay posture in giraffes, using individuals housed at Zoo Atlanta.

British University and Zoo Working Together to Improve the Welfare of Captive Apes!

June 08, 2017

Partnerships between zoos and academic institutions are vital not only for animal welfare but also wildlife conservation. This video shows the collaboration between the University of Birmingham and Twycross Zoo, which have created a computer program that helps developing zoo enclosures that simulate the physical and mental environment apes face in the wild.

Dallas Zoo is Investigating the Sleeping Habits of Their Elephants

May 31, 2017

Fascinating research project going on at  Dallas Zoo , on the behaviour and sleeping patterns of elephants.

Underwater Touchscreen Developed to Study Dolphin Inteligence

May 30, 2017

A team of researchers from Hunter College and The Rockefeller University, in partnership with the National Aquarium (US), has developed an underwater touchscreen to study the communication of dolphins. The researchers hope this technology will not only help them learning more about these highly social marine mammals, but will also work as enrichment in captivity.

Science Team at Cincinnati Zoo is Working to Understand Reproduction of Captive Polar Bears!

March 27, 2017

CREW, the science team at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is doing vital research on the reproduction of polar bears. This research is vital not only to improve breeding success of captive polar bears but also to ensure there is a future for these animals in the wild.

Copenhagen Zoo: The Importance of Zoo Research for Animal Management & Health

March 21, 2017

Copenhagen Zoo's scientific work is focussed on three main fields of study: animal behaviour, population biology and zoological medicine. Watch the video below for an explanation of why this research is so important for the management and health of the animals under their care.

WWCT and Dartmoor Zoo Join University of Cambridge in their "Conservation Evidence" Project

March 13, 2017

Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Dartmoor Zoological Park have joined the University of Cambridge in their "Conservation Evidence" project, which aims to support conservation and zoo-husbandry with strong, science-based, evidence!

Pangolin Day: WAZA Project Aims to Study Ecology of Pangolins!

February 18, 2017

Happy World Pangolin Day!

Pangolins are considered to be the most trafficked wild mammal, A World Association of Zoos and Aquariums project, implemented by National University of Singapore, aims to study the habitat preference and spatial ecology of pangolins in Singapore. This knowledge is vital to improve conservation efforts to save these animals in the wild.

#WorldPangolinDay

Photo: © Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Productive 2015 for AZA

February 15, 2017

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) had a productive 2015, with lots of conservation and research work done, and plenty of achievements! $28 million spent on research, with 48% and 43% of this funding being towards conservation and animal welfare, respectively.

"Tinder for Orangutans": Modern Romance for Great Apes?

February 11, 2017

"Tinder for orangutans" is a project by Apenheul primate park, that aims to (digitally) find a suitable partner for an 11-year-old female orangutan. She is shown pictures (on a tablet) of several males in the international breeding programme for the species, and then the researchers look for cues that suggest she has a preference for some of the males. Modern romance for great apes?

Research on Captive Polar Bear Helps Protecting Species in the Wild

February 10, 2017

Research on the energetic demands of polar bears is being conducted at San Diego Zoo, which will help conservationists understand the impacts of climate change on wild polar bears.

A great example that shows how research on zoo animals can be vital to protect their wild counterparts.

Using Astrophysics Analysis Techniques to Monitor Threatened Species & Habitats

February 08, 2017

Conservation is a multidisciplinary science and astrophysics also plays its role! Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), with support from Knowsley Safari Park, are studying the application of astrophysics analysis techniques in the monitoring of threatened species and habitats.  

Most Mammals Live Longer in Zoos than in the Wild

November 07, 2016

An international team of researchers has investigated the life expectancy of over 50 mammalian species and their results suggest over 80% of these animals live longer in captivity.

Photo: © Flamingo Land Resort

New Behaviour Seen In Flamingos Thanks To Research in Captivity

October 20, 2016

A research project at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, on captive flamingos, has allowed to document a behaviour that has never been recorded in these birds: some individuals have been seen barging into other individuals while these weren't doing anything. The purpose of this behaviour is currently unknown.

"Edinburgh Zoo earns its stripes through tiger research" by Chris McCal

October 14, 2016

Edinburgh Zoo is on the news again! This article explains how this zoo (as part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)) is involved in highly important research and conservation work for several cat species - from exotic tigers to the UK native Scottish wildcat.

Photo: © Edinburgh Zoo

The fourth annual seal survey is underway!

August 10, 2016

The fourth annual survey of the Thames Estuary's seals is underway, and the conservationists running the project want to hear from interested local people to get involved with both hands-on assistance and reporting seal sightings. In previous years this study has measured the growing grey seal population as well monitoring the potential for conflict with harbour seals.

Cincinnati Zoo's Research on Pallas's Cat is Helping to Increase Their Breeding Success

August 11, 2016

William Swanson, Director of Research at Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife (by Cincinnati Zoo) explains their vital research to increase the breeding success of the Pallas's Cat ( Otocolobus manul) in captivity.

Zoos Are Working to Better Understand the Behaviour of Red Pandas

August 01, 2016

The red panda ( Ailurus fulgens ) is an Endangered species (IUCN Red List), mostly threatened by habitat loss and trapping. A WAZA research project, implemented by Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, aims to investigate the behaviour, especially breeding biology, of red pandas in captivity and in the wild. This zoo has also been successful at releasing four animals back into the wild.

WAZA - Researching Monitor Lizards and Fighting Illegal Trade

July 22, 2016

This WAZA project, implemented by Kölner Zoo, aims to breed and research monitor lizards ( Varanus spp.). Only few of these species successfully breed in captivity and only more research can increase their reproductive success. Also, this zoo works with TRAFFIC and WWF, and often houses individuals that have been confiscated from illegal wildlife trade.

Brookfield Zoo Studies Activity Levels of Captive Dolphins

June 02, 2016

Brookfield Zoo has partnered with a mechanical engineer from the University of Michigan, and with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, to investigate the activity levels of the captive dolphins under their care. 

By attaching a D-tag (Digital Acoustic Recording Tag) to the body of the animals, using small suction cups, the researchers can collect data on the locomotion, behaviour & physiology of the animals.

The marine mammal care team at the zoo has to train the animals to use, and get used to, these devices. This information is very useful to monitor the daily activity of each individual and to understand better the life of these animals underwater.

ZSL: Developing Technology to Save Wildlife

May 25, 2016

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is developing tools that can help them (and other conservationists) researching threatened species and their habitats.

Some of this new technology includes satellite-enabled camera traps, a multi-sensor alarm system against poaching, SMART technology (Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool) and MATAKI (tracking technology).

Stress in Captive VS Wild Cetaceans

May 02, 2016

Research by Proie (2013) suggests there are no significant differences in cortisol levels (measure of stress) between wild and captive Atlantic bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) and beluga whales ( Delphinapterus Leucas ), when captive husbandry methodology is not used during sampling.

When this methodology is used, then cortisol levels are higher in the wild counterparts. This research suggests animals of these two species are not more stressed when in captivity. However, an increase of cortisol levels in wild animals may have arised during sampling, which could have skewed the results. The use of non-invasive techniques to measure cortisol is recommended in the future, to further support these results.

© Photo by Chicago Zoological Society

Researchers at Brookfield Zoo Investigate Activity of Captive Giraffes

April 13, 2016

The Animal Welfare Research team at Brookfield Zoo is investigating the activity levels, and their seasonal changes, of captive giraffes. 

As giraffes are from warmer climates, North american zoos usually provide them with indoor and outdoor enclosures. That way, the animals are kept safe from harsh winters. However, researchers now want to compare how much time they spend standing up and lying down, during the winter (indoors) and the summer (outdoors).

They are using the "Giraffe FitBit©" device - a data logger with an accelerometer, which gives information about the position of the giraffe (lying down or standing up). This technology is the same as the one seen in smartphones, used to change the screen view when the phone is tilted. 

Black Bears at Oregon Zoo are Helping Scientists to Understand Locomotion of Plantigrades

March 31, 2016

R esearchers are investigating the locomotion of plantigrades - animals that walk with their toes and metatarsals flat on the ground (e.g. bears). Little is known about this type of locomotion, and this new research will hopefully help understanding the evolution of flat-footed movement.

"Locomotion is a fundamental aspect of survival in all animals. It's required for finding food, catching prey, avoiding predators and finding mates. Determining the way animals move can help us to understand how they utilize their habitats to perform these required behaviors. In bears, there are only eight living species, but they occupy a wide range of ecological niches, and therefore by studying the way they have evolved to move in these different habitats, we can help to understand how their ecosystems need to be preserved to maintain their natural locomotor patterns." said Katie Shine, responsible for this research.

Shine has been studying grizzly bears, but she now wants to compare her findings with other bear species. Oregon Zoo is helping Shine in her study: keepers are leading the zoo's black bears on a runway equiped with sensors, providing Shine with valuable data. 

Cincinnati Zoo: Helping Scientists Assessing the Body Condition of polar Bears in the Wild

March 09, 2016

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has partnered with Polar Bears International, universities and other zoos to carry on the Body Condition Project. This project aims to develop tools to non-invasively assess the body condition of polar bears.

By using a Body Condition Index, scientists can visually assess polar bears in the field. This data, if continuously collected, will allow scientists to monitor the condition of each individual and the response of the whole population to the loss of sea ice due to climate change.

Captive polar bears are a great source of information for researchers, who can then apply their findings to wild individuals.

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Science at the zoo

Zoos and aquariums are very popular tourist attractions, accepting over 200 millions visitors per year in North America , and around 7 00 millions in the world . While being a prime holiday and weekend destination, zoos also have their critics. Values and ethical concerns are usually put forward by people opposing zoos.

But not all zoos are created (or rather managed) equally. What are called “roadside zoos” often exhibit poor animal welfare and lack any educational, conservation or research efforts. On the contrary, accredited institutions are part of a network of zoos that value animal welfare, the preservation of species and their habitats, and science. They submit themselves to public scrutiny and regular inspections by legal and regulating bodies. As the research coordinator at a zoo (and of course part-time PhD candidate here at Concordia), I wish to highlight how doing research in a zoo can benefit animals, institutions and science in general.

Having diverse animals in the same place allows to conduct multi-species comparative research, a fruitful way to address many fundamental questions about biology, physiology, cognition and evolution. Zoos also offer the opportunity to study rare or endangered species that are difficult to observe in nature. For example, there are less than 100 individuals of the rare and elusive Amur leopard in the wild, but approximately 350 in captivity.

The opportunity to study wild populations of Amur leopards is very limited, therefore, studying captive individuals provides ample opportunity to better understand this species improving conservation efforts. For the Amur leopard, and many other of the 40 000 species threatened with extinction , captive research gives us important information on physiology, reproductive biology, health, behaviour and much more. This data is essential for a better understanding of the species’ biological requirements and to design effective management plans and policies.

Practically, researchers can test new methodologies and material very easily and quickly. Before spending a fortune to buy, transport and use materials in the field, it can be very cost-effective to do pilot-projects at a zoo. Some cutting-edge methods can also benefit from small projects in captivity before becoming widespread and exportable to the field.

Accredited zoos include many professions within their team: keepers, biologists, veterinarians, nutritionists, educators, tradesmen, to name a few. With the addition of outside researchers, including many university professors and students , this allows a multidisciplinary approach to research projects. It unlocks research possibilities and facilitates the development of new methodologies. It is also extremely convenient, for a biologist like me, to be able to simply ask colleagues about their expertise in other fields. Unlike in many other research environments, we are always exposed to different visions and practices, which makes it almost impossible to have a narrow and close-minded view on our research topics.

Research in zoos also allows for the evaluation of practices, systematically and objectively. Being under intense scrutiny, zoos and aquariums need to be transparent and honest about what works or not. Scientific research on our animals’ health and welfare, on the impact of animal care practices and the efficacy of educational efforts are crucial ways to do this. Additionally, when submitted to the peer-review process of scientific publications ( some academic journals are dedicated to zoo research ), our practices are evaluated by anonymous and professional reviewers, and available to the public.

Of course, there are downsides to research projects in captivity. Sample size (i.e. the number of animals that can be included in a study) is limited to animals living in the zoo, although multi zoo collaborations is a way to alleviate this hurdle. The ecological settings (weather, habitat, predators, competitors, human threats, diseases, etc.) are also extremely powerful forces affecting wildlife. Although we have better control on the environment and can focus on very specific questions in a zoo, captive research will never recreate the complexities of the natural habitat.

Overall, zoo research can eventually be funneled into conservation efforts (like the reproduction of endangered species, direct support of field conservation programs or reintroduction in the wild) which is another essential aspect of an accredited institution. As the zoological community strives to increase its investment in conservation in the future, zoos and aquariums will become a hotbed for scientific research , allocating millions of dollars annually on research and hiring more and more research-dedicated staff.

About the author

Louis Lazure is a doctoral candidate in Biology. He received a BSc in problem-based learning Biology (UQÀM, 2005), a master’s in International Ecology (Université de Sherbrooke, 2007) and a MSc in Biology (Western University, 2009).

With his expertise in ecology, zoology and animal behaviour, he worked and conducted wildlife research in many countries and in captive settings. Louis is also the Research Coordinator at Zoo de Granby since 2013. His current research precisely explores raccoon’s cognition within a context of human-wildlife interactions in protected areas

© Concordia University

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A List Of The Most Interesting Argumentative Essay Topics On Zoos

Every single individual must have some memories of a zoo they have been to, or at least for most people, the ones that they used to visit when they were kids. These usually form fond memories, things that we reminisce about when we get together with those that we love, or when we are telling fond stories of how things were back in the day. Because of this reason therefore it should not be a problem for you to write a very good paper when you are requested to hand in a strong paper on a zoo. As a matter of fact, you are supposed to be in a very good position to hand in one of the best argumentative essays you have ever worked on your entire life.

To get you some brief ideas, here are some interesting titles that you can consider, while you also follow the same procedure to try and think up some interesting ones:

• The importance of zoos to the economy
• Discuss the challenges that keeping animals in the zoo has
• Explain how hard it is for an animal of the wild to adapt to life in the zoo
• There are animal rights activists who are against the act of petting wild animals in zoos. Critic or justify their concerns with suitable examples
• Wild animals are supposed to be left in the wild, not tamed in zoos. Discuss

Apart from these topics, you can also think about something that perhaps you experienced during one of your excursions to any zoo in your lifetime. The best thing about such titles is that in most cases you have the freedom to do whatever you please with the same. You do not necessarily need to stick to or be bound by any of these titles. For the sake of this paper, you are able to enjoy the freedom of choosing whichever direction you want your paper to take.

While working on this paper, you also must not forget the need for you to stick to the normal guidelines of essay writing, which means that you must include a properly articulated introduction for your readers, one that will give them a very good idea of what to expect as you write the paper. Apart from that, make sure that you cite your sources and proofread your work before submission.

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Contributions of Zoos and Aquariums to the Advancement of Marine Science

Original Research 21 December 2022 Age and sex differences in in-air vocalization characteristics of spotted seal pups from newborn to 1 year old in captivity Peijun Zhang ,  4 more  and  Songhai Li 2,013 views 1 citations

Loading... Original Research 08 December 2022 Assisted sexual reproduction of Acropora cervicornis for active restoration on Florida’s Coral Reef Hanna R. Koch ,  3 more  and  Erich Bartels 3,231 views 3 citations

Original Research 14 November 2022 Kinship and genetic variation in aquarium-spawned Acropora hyacinthus corals Elora H. López-Nandam ,  9 more  and  Rebecca Albright 3,357 views 1 citations

Original Research 17 October 2022 Piscine predation rates vary relative to habitat, but not protected status, in an island chain with an established marine reserve Andrew S. Kough  and  Carolyn A. Belak 1,023 views 2 citations

Loading... Original Research 03 October 2022 No apparent cost of disease resistance on reproductive output in Acropora cervicornis genets used for active coral reef restoration in Florida Hanna R. Koch ,  2 more  and  Erinn M. Muller 1,536 views 5 citations

Loading... Original Research 23 September 2022 Whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) age and growth in wild (in situ) versus aquarium-housed (ex situ) individuals: Implications for conservation and management Atlantine Boggio-Pasqua ,  5 more  and  Manuel Dureuil 4,353 views 2 citations

Methods 23 September 2022 Citizen science and machine learning: Interdisciplinary approach to non-invasively monitoring a northern marine ecosystem Ashleigh M. Westphal ,  6 more  and  Stephen D. Petersen 2,838 views 2 citations

Loading... Brief Research Report 16 September 2022 A decade of coral biobanking science in Australia - transitioning into applied reef restoration Rebecca J. Hobbs ,  11 more  and  Jonathan Daly 3,188 views 4 citations

Brief Research Report 18 August 2022 Identification of individual bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) emitters using a cheap wearable acoustic tag Alessandro Gallo ,  4 more  and  Alban Lemasson 2,177 views 2 citations

Review 04 August 2022 The role of aquaria in the advancement of elasmobranch reproductive biology Kevin A. Feldheim ,  1 more  and  Kady Lyons 2,939 views 2 citations

Loading... Original Research 22 July 2022 Reproductive Cycle and Periodicity of In Situ and Aquarium Female Sand Tiger Sharks Carcharias taurus from the Western North Atlantic Jennifer T. Wyffels ,  8 more  and  Linda M. Penfold 2,042 views 4 citations

Loading... Original Research 02 June 2022 Artificial Insemination and Parthenogenesis in the Zebra Shark Stegostoma tigrinum Lance Adams ,  6 more  and  Jennifer Wyffels 3,897 views 5 citations

Loading... Original Research 02 March 2022 Five-Month Incubation of Viviparous Deep-Water Shark Embryos in Artificial Uterine Fluid Taketeru Tomita ,  5 more  and  Keiichi Sato 4,611 views 4 citations

Zoos – Top 3 Pros and Cons

• Pro/Con Arguments

Discussion Questions

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Zoos have existed in some form since at least 2500 BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where records indicate giraffes, bears, dolphins, and other animals were kept by aristocrats. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regent’s Park, these zoos were intended for “genteel amusement and edification,” according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. [ 40 ]

Carl Hegenbeck, a German exotic animal importer, introduced the modern model of more natural habitats for animals instead of obvious cages at his Animal Park in Hamburg in 1907. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. In the late 20th century, the narrative changed again to the conservation of animals to stave off extinction. [ 40 ]

Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying “exotic” humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. A gorilla named Madame Ningo, the first  gorilla  to arrive in the United States in 1911 who was to live at the  Bronx Zoo , was fed hot dinners and cooked meat despite gorillas being  herbivores , for example. [ 3 ] [ 4 ]

The contemporary debate about zoos tends to focus on animal welfare on both sides, whether zoos protect animals or imprison them.

Should Zoos Exist?

Pro 1 Zoos educate the public about animals and conservation efforts. As of Apr. 2021, there are 241 accredited zoos in the United States. The zoos attract over 181 million visitors annually, which is more than the approximately 131 million yearly spectators of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB combined. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 9 ] [ 41 ] According to a study of 26 zoos worldwide published in Conservation Biology, visitors to zoos increased their knowledge of biodiversity and specific individual actions to protect biodiversity. [ 11 ] Robin Ganzert, PhD, President and CEO of American Humane, stated, “zoos provide people, especially impressionable children, with the opportunity to see these remarkable animals up close. People won’t protect what they don’t love, and they can’t love what they don’t know. No matter how closely programs like Planet Earth depict animals, nothing will match the bond of seeing them in real life. Just look at a child’s eyes at the zoo when he or she encounters a tiger or similarly majestic animal.” [ 12 ] Read More

Pro 2 Zoos produce helpful scientific research. 228 accredited zoos published 5,175 peer-reviewed manuscripts between 1993 and 2013. In 2017, 173 accredited US zoos spent $25 million on research, studied 485 species and subspecies of animals, worked on 1,280 research projects, and published 170 research manuscripts. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] Because so many diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as Ebola, Hantavirus, and the bird flu, zoos frequently conduct disease surveillance research in wildlife populations and their own captive populations that can lead to a direct impact on human health. For example, the veterinary staff at the Bronx Zoo in New York alerted health officials of the presence of West Nile Virus. [ 15 ] Zoo research is used in other ways such as informing legislation like the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, helping engineers build a robot to move like a sidewinder snake, and encouraging minority students to enter STEM careers. [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] Read More

Pro 3 Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. Corroboree frogs, eastern bongos, regent honeyeaters, Panamanian golden frogs, Bellinger River snapping turtles, golden lion tamarins, and Amur leopards, among others, have been saved from extinction by zoos. [ 16 ] Zoos are also working to save polar bears, tigers, and wild African elephants from habitat loss, apes and rhinos from poachers, dolphins and whales from hunters, and bees and butterflies from population declines, among many other efforts to help many other animals. [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] 23% of birds and 47% of small mammals (weighing less than about 2.2 pounds) are negatively impacted by climate change. By keeping populations of animals and conducting wild repopulation, zoos can help preserve species in danger from climate change. There were only nine California condors in the wild in 1985. A joint conservation effort between the San Diego and Los Angeles Zoos with other organizations resulted in a population of 276 California condors in the wild and another 170 in captivity by 2016. [ 21 ]   [ 22 ] [ 23 ] Przewalski’s horses, the last wild horses, were declared extinct in the wild in the 1960s when about 12 lived in zoos. By 2018, breeding programs at zoos increased the number to 2,400 horses, and 800 were reintroduced to the wild. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] Read More

Con 1 Zoos don't educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. A review published in Animal Studies Repository concluded, “to date there is no compelling or even particularly suggestive evidence for the claim that zoos and aquariums promote attitude change, education, and interest in conservation in visitors.” Even a study widely cited to justify the argument that zoos educate the public stated, “there was no overall statistically significant change in understanding [of ecological concepts] seen” because visitors know a lot about ecology before going to the zoo. [ 26 ]   [ 27 ] TV shows such as Planet Earth bring wild animals into living rooms, allowing people to see the animals in their natural habitats without causing harm to animals such as the endangered snow leopard. Romesh Ranganathan, a British comedian, stated, “It still slightly surprises me that anybody thinks that we should have zoos at all. The animals always look miserable in captivity… [T]he idea that kids only get excited about things they can see in the flesh is ridiculous. My kids are obsessed with dinosaurs that no longer exist, and Skylanders, which have never existed.” [ 28 ] Read More

Con 2 Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. A study of 35 species of carnivores, including brown bears, cheetahs, and lions, found that zoo enclosures were too small for the animals to carry out their normal routines, which led to problems such as pacing and more infant deaths. Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures. [ 29 ] About 70% of adult male gorillas in North America have heart disease, the leading cause of death among gorillas in captivity, although the condition is almost completely absent in the wild. Other great apes have similar health problems in captivity. [ 4 ] Captive elephants live about half as long as wild elephants: 18.9 years v. 41.7 years for Asian elephants and 16.9 years v. 35.8 years for African elephants. Of 77 elephants in 13 zoos, 71 were overweight and spent 83% of their time indoors, contributing to early death. [ 30 ] Read More

Con 3 Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. Animal behaviorists often see zoo animals suffering from problems not seen in the wild, such as clinical depression in clouded leopards and gibbons, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in brown bears, and anxiety in giraffes. The animals experience these issues due to smaller enclosures, changes in diet and activities, and the introduction of things not seen in the wild, such as medical exams and people with cameras. The Toledo Zoo ran a psychiatric program in which a gorilla with premenstrual depression was prescribed Prozac. To ease them into new habitats, an agitated tiger was given Valium, and anxious zebras and wildebeests were given Haldol. [ 31 ]   [ 32 ] [ 33 ] A study of captive chimpanzees found that “abnormal behaviour is endemic in the population,” and includes behaviors such as eating feces, twitching, rocking back and forth, plucking hair, pacing, vomiting, and self-mutilation, among others. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. [ 34 ] About 24% of captive orcas have “major” to “extreme” tooth wear and 60% had tooth fractures as a result of stress-induced teeth grinding. As a result of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which exposed the psychological damage done to orcas by SeaWorld, California outlawed captive orca breeding. [ 35 ] [ 36 ]   [ 36 ] Read More

1. Should zoos exist? If you believe they should, consider whether they should remain the same or change. If you believe they should not, consider how else to accomplish zoo’s conservation efforts.

2. Extend the debate to other human-made animal habitats, such as safari parks and animal sanctuaries.

3. What other conservation efforts are important to saving wildlife? Explain your answer(s).

1. Analyze “ Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation ” from conservation scientist James Borrell.

2. Consider the pros and cons with a video from Above the Noise .

3. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinall’s opinion that zoos are “outdated and cruel.”

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives .

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Five ways to wellbeing at the zoo: improving human health and connection to nature

1 Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom

2 WWT, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge, United Kingdom

3 Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, Winchester, United Kingdom

Good mental and physical health go hand-in-hand when identifying factors that lead people to experience a better overall quality of life. A growing disconnect to the natural world is worsening the mental health of individuals in many societies. Numerous scientific publications have evidenced that being in nature and access to green and blue spaces positively impact upon humans’ physical and mental health. For many people, particularly those living in more urbanized areas, managed natural spaces and borrowed landscapes, such as those found in public parks, wildlife reserves and zoological gardens give the only opportunities for wider engagement with nature. Many zoos are designated green spaces and therefore human visitors can engage with native fauna and flora as well as exotic wild animals. This article reviews the UK Government’s “The Five Ways to Wellbeing” concept, applied to zoos and aquariums and thus suggests how zoos and aquariums can use this framework to promote positive nature-connectivity experiences for their visitors and promote good wellbeing. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning, and Give. We illustrate how zoos and aquariums could model their approaches to educational and engagement roles, as well as design initiatives to reach out to local communities via the Five Ways to Wellbeing concept. We show that many of the positive programs and works conducted by zoos and aquariums lend themselves to further engagement with the Five Ways to Wellbeing structure. By taking such a structured approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of their activities, zoos can expand their abilities in connecting humans with nature and further add value to their living collections of animals and plants. By including Wellbeing as a defined aim of the modern zoo, it will be clear to all of those involved in their work, visitors, workers, stakeholders, that zoos are working to promote, protect and preserve positive wellbeing outputs for humans and animals alike.

1. Introduction

There is a global crisis around mental health ( Patel et al., 2007 ; Tiwari, 2023 ), in part caused by contemporary challenges to living ( Jakovljevic et al., 2020 ) modern ways of communicating and living ( Kelly et al., 2018 ; Smith and Victor, 2019 ), and a widespread disconnection with nature and the natural world ( Gelsthorpe, 2017 ). Access to nature has been shown to promote positive wellbeing and alleviate mild depression and anxiety in humans ( Bratman et al., 2012 ; Keenan et al., 2021 ; Owens and Bunce, 2022 ; Irvine et al., 2023 ). As global populations continue to urbanize ( United Nations, 2018 ), causing greater distance between centers of human habitation and wild environments ( Cox et al., 2018 ), managed green and blue spaces (e.g., public parkland and gardens and nature-themed visitor attractions such as zoological collections) become more important to fostering a sense of “being in nature” ( Baur and Tynon, 2010 ; Kellert, 2012 ; Arbuthnott et al., 2014 ; Taylor and Duram, 2021 ). Institutions that are ultimately centered on bringing nature closer to humans are zoological collections, such as zoos, aquariums, and safari parks (hereafter “zoos”). Although the number is hard to accurately define, there are an estimated 10,000 zoological collections globally ( Glazier, 2017 ). A smaller proportion of this overall estimate will be part of accreditation (e.g., European Association of Zoos & Aquaria, EAZA; Association of Zoos & Aquariums, AZA) or membership (British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums) organizations that uphold education, conservation and research initiatives and promote good animal welfare ( Marcy, 2021 ; BIAZA, 2023a ; EAZA, 2023a ). Modern zoos are consistently aiming to promote both animal welfare and positive human wellbeing in terms of their outputs and operations ( Rose and Riley, 2022 ) and therefore have value to the human populations that work at them, live around them, visit them and engage with their work on a local or global level ( Greenwell et al., 2023 ). This value can be extended if zoo visits can enhance mental health, encourage a deeper understanding of nature, and foster a greater appreciation of the natural world.

The UK government defines the concept of human wellbeing as comprising of two main elements: feeling good and functioning well ( CIEEM, 2021 ). This approach is similar to that outlined by the World Health Organization, who state that wellbeing is a positive state experienced by individuals and societies, that is important for daily life, and encompasses quality of life and the activities that people can get involved in World Health Organisation (2023) . Therefore, enhancing opportunities to be outdoors with nature, and to engage with others whilst undertaking meaningful and fulfilling activities promotes these good feelings and positive physical and mental functions ( Nisbet et al., 2011 ; Bratman et al., 2012 ; Cudworth and Lumber, 2021 ), which are the core of wellbeing.

An example of an approach to enhance human wellbeing to improve overall quality of life can be found in the Five Ways (or Steps) to Wellbeing that were published in 2008 by the New Economics Foundation on behalf of the UK Government ( Aked et al., 2008b ). This project was initiated to understand ways of promoting improvements to mental wellbeing in individual people and across society more widely, and of enhancing mental capital (i.e., a person’s cognitive and emotional resources). The Five Ways to Wellbeing are to Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning, and Give ( Aked et al., 2008b ) and these are outlined in Figure 1 . As a framework for evaluating human wellbeing, The Five Ways to Wellbeing have featured in several publications relating to human wellbeing and nature connectivity, including peer-reviewed research papers ( Chiumento et al., 2018 ) and mainstream psychology publications ( Harkness, 2019 ). And they have also been used within research, methodologies designed to measure good human wellbeing and improvements to quality of life, across numerous other disciplines in different parts of the world ( Mahoney-Davies et al., 2017 ; Mackay et al., 2019 ; Gillard et al., 2021 ; Coren et al., 2022 ). The principles of the Five Ways to Wellbeing have been endorsed by the UK’s mental health charity, “Mind” ( Mind, 2023 ) and are also widely advertised by the UK’s National Health Service as part of its mental health provision ( National Health Service, 2022 ). Therefore, the Five Ways to Wellbeing approach is clearly seen as a credible formula for helping to provide practical support and tools to improve both individual and societal quality of life.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing as described by the New Economic Foundation with an example of how they integrate into a visit to a zoological collection.

This article considers the key concepts of the Five Ways to Wellbeing and the role of zoos in providing meaningful connection to nature, opportunities to engage and interact with other individuals in a positive and constructive manner, and ways of getting involved in pro-conservation activities and initiatives. Promoting a connection to nature is essential if green and blue prescribing (nature-based interventions and activities prescribed to restore positive mental states, National Health Service, 2022 ) is to be wholly effective. It is centered in the concepts of green / blue prescribing that can offer treatment for mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression ( Owens and Bunce, 2022 ; Irvine et al., 2023 ) and that zoos could get involved with. This is the first time (to the authors’ knowledge) that zoos as potential sites to embed the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been explored. A literature search, conducted in June 2023 on Google Scholar 1 and on Web of Science 2 for the terms “Five Ways / Five Steps to Wellbeing zoo,” “Five Ways / Five Steps to Wellbeing aquarium,” “Five Ways / Five Steps to Wellbeing nature” revealed no articles to have employed this method to date in the context of zoo operations and aims. Therefore, our concept paper reviews the operational nature of zoos and their aims, in terms of each of the Five Ways to illustrate the potential for this approach to future investigation and research application. We provide examples of how zoos can engage with each one of the Fives Ways to Wellbeing “actions” (Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning, Give) to maximize their positive impacts on human wellbeing and planetary health both locally and globally. We have explored the framework of the Five Ways to Wellbeing to show how the activities that zoos provide and promote fit within the ideals and aims of the Five Ways to Wellbeing regarding improvements to human quality of life.

Zoos provide spaces that enable people to connect; both with each other and with the natural environment. A key element of the Five Ways to Wellbeing is the building and maintenance of positive relationships with others as a crucial element for long-term well-being. In the zoo, connecting with family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community is possible and can provide feelings of belonging, support, and purpose. Zoo visits foster a sense of interest in nature, facilitate social support, and spark positive discussion on the animals that visitors interact with Clayton et al. (2009) and Clayton et al. (2014) . As being connected fosters an individual’s sense of value and enhances social interactions ( Martino et al., 2017 ), positive impacts on mental health and physical health become realized. Across the world, there are estimates that over 700 million people may visit a zoo annually ( Gusset and Dick, 2011 ). By connecting individuals together as well as connecting people with nature, zoos can positively impact human health, and spread positive human Behavior change messages more widely that can ultimately benefit planetary health too ( Falk et al., 2007 ; Jensen et al., 2017 ; Godinez and Fernandez, 2019 ).

Use of various social media platforms and engagement with online audiences can foster interest and attention in a specific theme or idea ( Derby, 2013 ). The use of multiple social media platforms is beneficial for zoos to connect with wider audiences, especially with people who may not consider visiting a zoo or who may not have an immediate, deeper interest in animals and the natural world. Using social media platforms as a bridge between any potential interest in animals (at the zoo) and then going to visit such animals can encourage nature connectivity during a physical visit to the zoo itself. In this scenario, engagement with a social media platform sparks the interest that results in a visit to see animals at the zoo. For example, by presenting information on conservation and biodiversity in a factually correct yet accessible and entertaining manner, e.g., on YouTube ( Llewellyn and Rose, 2021 ) or on Facebook ( Rose et al., 2018 ) zoos can build links to under-represented groups that may not have originally considered visiting an animal collection or natural space.

Zoos should also broaden their audiences to reduce any perception that they are just places for families and children to have a fun day out in Esson and Moss (2014) and Turley (2001) . As an emphasis on being a playground for children can deter others from visiting zoos ( Turley, 2001 ), wider consideration of how to connect with a more diverse array of audiences would provide more personal value to a zoo visit and give wider impact of any mental and physical health benefits. As zoo visits provide people with opportunities to develop emotional connections with non-human animals ( Clayton et al., 2009 ; Howell et al., 2019 ), there is the chance to encourage pro-conservation and sustainability Behavior change post-zoo visit. By seeing animals in close proximity, zoos help foster a bond between the visitor and the natural wonder ( Vining, 2003 ) and this emotional connection may help foster compassion for and interest in wildlife, biodiversity and the health of the planet. As many people visit zoos as a group (e.g., in a family setting), such a connection to nature can spread across generations and be a talking point or topic of discussion and dialog between these individuals in their social group ( Figure 2 ).

Ultimate benefits of being connected at the zoo and on a zoo visit.

In the UK, zoos employ approximately 3,000 full-time staff ( Animal Careers Direct, 2023 ) and in the United States, AZA accredited zoos employ 198,000 people ( Marcy, 2021 ). Not only does this represent vast opportunity for connection, both AZA and BIAZA (and many zoo member and accreditation organizations globally) host annual conferences and have active working groups offering further, wider connectivity to like-minded people who share an interest in animals. The sharing of joint goals like achieving husbandry development and striving for improved animal welfare, therefore affords a sense of camaraderie and togetherness. Those staff who work directly with animals can also participate in stable, strong attachments with the animals in their care. With companion animals, such attachments are considered a positive human-animal interaction that is important for both good animal welfare and positive human wellbeing ( Walsh, 2009 ). Melfi et al. (2022) found that zookeepers did form such attachments to animal in their care, although not as strongly as with their own companion (pet) animals. This research identified that female zookeepers were significantly more attached to zoo animals than male zookeepers and thus there is the potential for all zookeepers but especially females to connect with the animals in their care. Even those whose work does not directly involve animals have daily opportunities to interact with animals as they journey around the zoo throughout the working day. Thus, zoo staff have many opportunities for connectivity with human and non-human animals alike.

Zoos need to consider animal welfare states and how these are upheld and promoted to visitors ( Sayers, 2020 ), especially when connecting visitors with nature. Promoting good animal welfare is likely to leave a lasting positive impression on zoo visitors as research has identified that when zoo visitors view abnormal Behaviors (e.g., stereotypic pacing), they leave with a poorer impression of the zoo overall ( Miller, 2012 ). Negative impressions of captive wildlife can be caused by a visitor’s experiences of poor animal management ( Woods, 2002 ), thus detracting from the zoo’s value and its ability to connect more deeply with the audiences that visit. Likewise, the behavior of visitors themselves can disturb the animals themselves and create a negative atmosphere at the zoo ( Collins et al., 2023 ), preventing others’ attempts at connecting with nature more widely, or animals specifically, in the zoo. Consequently, zoos need to actively manage visitor Behavior, engaging with them to eliminate negative actions that compromise animal welfare and the experiences of other visitors who wish to fully connect with nature during their time in the zoo’s living collection.

3. Be active

Any visit to a zoo or aquarium involves activity. Engaging in regular physical activity is beneficial for physical health and improves mental well-being ( Warburton et al., 2006 ). And physical activity that is outdoors and embedded in nature alleviates stress and boosts quality of life during challenging periods of living ( Egerer et al., 2022 ). Zoos can capitalize on such physical activity by outreach events and programs that can provide multiple opportunities for physical exercise, the broadening of social connections and chance to do or learn new things. Opportunities for engagement that encourage activity can include physical exercise, such as walking around exhibits and between enclosures, to engagement with educational activities that may involve creating, making, doing, or crafting ( Figure 3 ). Walking tours and guided experiences also increase opportunities for physical activity around the zoo. These events are documented as being particularly effective at enhancing connectivity with nature from student groups ( Kleespies et al., 2020 ) to middle-aged adults ( Kleespies et al., 2022 ) and provide a way of promoting the intrinsic value of nature to urbanized audiences that may appear removed from biodiversity ( de Lima, 2016 ). When an audience starts a tour with low nature connectivity, the event appears to be most effective at improving and increasing the individual’s sense of value of nature ( Kleespies et al., 2020 ). Given the staple of guided tours around zoos, this form of physical activity, coupled with the potential for large influences in positive connections to nature, would be something for zoos to capitalize on and promote more widely.

Being active at the zoo to improve physical health and how to connect with nature.

Participation in guided tours with other visitors could develop new social bonds and a sense of connection with other likeminded individuals that have similar interests and passions. These events involve activity (walking around the zoo itself) but also could encourage activity away from the zoo, and opportunities to explore other green or blue spaces that the visitor learns about during the visit. For example, zoos may manage a nature reserve at a separate location; if these nature reserves are highlighted to participants on a tour, a new venue for physical activity is made available for people to potentially engage with. Guided tours increase participants knowledge and education on a specific topic ( Whitehouse-Tedd et al., 2022 ) and as such, could be used to present other opportunities for activity that leads to increased connection with nature both at and away from the zoo. Such guided tours may be particularly important for people who visit a zoo alone to give a chance to strike up conversation with others around them and to therefore broaden their own social environment. Zoos provide multiple topics of conservation and moving between enclosures provides a variety of sensory experiences that can be discussed, explained, and explored. Opportunities for this activity could themed for a specific audience to encourage uptake on a tailored activity with key aims for that demographic.

Involvement in “keeper for a day” schemes or other opportunities to work with animals, such as volunteer programs, are also beneficial for improving visitors expectations and engagement with nature ( Meadows, 2011 ; Ferguson and Litchfield, 2018 ). Such experiences add more opportunities to complete physical activity, to bond with others and to experience nature close-up. Whilst caring for zoo animals is physically demanding work, zoos should consider developing volunteer programs that are accessible (where logistically possible) to all sections of society and particularly consider outreach to less mobile individuals that would still benefit from close encounters with nature. Examples of widening participation in such experiences are found within the industry ( Sydney Zoo, 2021 ; Blackpool Zoo, 2023 ) and this highlights the evolution of how zoos are encouraging the widest spectrum of society to come and engage with their messaging, key objectives, and with their living collections. As direct encounters with the animals themselves also involve physical activity, so this helps foster a connection with particular species in the zoo, and with nature more broadly.

Of course, zoos employ real keepers and a host of other staff who engage in physically demanding work as they clean animal enclosures, prepare animal diets, build or repair infrastructure and generally walk the many paths at the zoo as they visit different areas of the zoo as part of their work. Here another opportunity presents for zoos to evidence humans being active and fulfilling the second of the Five Ways for Wellbeing. In the sparse research into zookeeper opinions of their role and work environment, keepers acknowledge the ‘hard work’ their job entails; they describe ‘a calling’ and a need to work with animals, the importance and meaning of their role, but verbalize the sacrifice such physically and emotionally demanding work requires in terms of financial limitations, vigilance and the burdens of responsibility ( Bunderson and Thompson, 2009 ). Thus, a need to further explore zookeeper wellbeing transpires as these are active people, engaging enthusiastically with the sensory riches that their site of employment affords yet such wellbeing benefits are potentially at risk from the burdens of responsibility zookeepers report experiencing.

4. Take notice

Watching and experiencing the presence of zoo animals can encourage visitors to take notice of important messages ( Grajal et al., 2017 ; Moss and Pavitt, 2019 ) that could enable personal growth and development. For example, by learning about previously unknown facts, concepts, and theories, or by developing pro-conservation Behavior and engaging with tools to become more sustainable. An integrated approach of signage and other forms of communication and interpretation (such as interactive engagement with social media platforms) has been shown as particularly effective at crystallizing key biodiversity messages to zoo visitors ( Pearson et al., 2014 ). Zoos are places where people come to have encounters with other species ( Rice et al., 2021a ) and by seeking out such close encounters, visitors are taking more notice of the natural world and are being more connected to aspects of nature. By encouraging visitors to take notice, of the animals in the zoo and in a wider context, and of the visitor’s own learning and development, zoos can help people to reconnect with the wider world around them ( Figure 4 ).

Taking notice at the zoo to learn about nature in new ways and feel more connected to the natural world.

There is multiple evidence of how zoos contribute more widely to scientific outputs that can benefit wider society. Publication and dissemination of empirical science in the popular press and across media channels make scientific outputs more relevant and relatable to general, non-technical audiences ( Farinella, 2018 ). Across zoo membership and accreditation organizations, zoo and aquarium research is answering new questions and providing insightful and impactful information on a wide range of subjects ( Loh et al., 2018 ; Hosey et al., 2019 ; Hvilsom et al., 2020 ). Scientific outputs from zoos improve our theoretical and applied knowledge of the natural world ( Conde et al., 2019 ; Rose et al., 2019 ) and such information can be presented in an accessible and engaging way to visitors to encourage uptake and memory of important messaging (e.g., around a species’ ecology or conservation or adaptations).

Zoos also engage in sensory experiences with their visitors that encourage people to take notice of their environment in different or extraordinary ways. For example, sound walks where visitors are encouraged to experience the zoo by listening to their environment and not through sight ( Rice et al., 2021b ). Sound walks are unlikely to be fully accessible to visitors with hearing impairments, but these activities can open up the zoo’s environment in new ways for people with other sensory disabilities, e.g., those that are visually impaired. By encouraging visitors to engage with different senses, a new perspective on the zoo, its animals and what it means to be in nature can develop.

Zoos can also offer mindfulness programs and activities centered around this mental health paradigm. Mindfulness refers to “a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens” ( University of California Berkeley, 2023 ). And anyone practicing mindfulness is required to accept, and not judge, their current thoughts and feelings; to accept who they are in that current space and time. Mindfulness concepts can be built into wildlife encounters and experiences to promote a deeper connection with the natural environment and to enhance learning and engagement ( Woods and Moscardo, 2003 ). The sound walks, as mentioned above, can encourage “acoustic mindfulness” and reflection on the lives of the non-human animals at the zoo ( Rice et al., 2021b ), therefore deepening participant’s connection with nature on a different sensory level. Visitors on mindfulness walks at the zoo can be encouraged to pay close attention to their surroundings, and notice the colors, shapes, sizes and activity patterns of the animals, and how the animal fits into its environment. Some zoos provide a guide and instructions on how to practice mindfulness on a zoo visit ( Meek, 2016 ; Chester Zoo, 2023 ) including ideas for things to do (what to watch and experience), what to not do (e.g., avoid needing to photograph everything that can be seen or viewing the world via a mobile phone screen), and how to engage multiple senses.

Mindfulness is not simply a statement or singular reflection in time and space, it is a practice that is developed and fine-tuned with repetition and application; there is a level of dedication involved in focusing your thoughts on to your current state of being. Mindfulness refers to “observation without criticism” ( Williams and Penman, 2011 ) allowing negative thoughts to be noticed before they have chance to fully infiltrate a person’s psychology. Therefore, zoos should work to embed mindfulness practice into a visit, offering opportunities for focused thought and the quiet reflective spaces needed to achieve a truly mindful state. Other forms of mindfulness out in nature, such as “forest therapy” result in numerous physical and psychological benefits to participants ( Han et al., 2016 ; Rosa et al., 2021 ). Zoos should capitalize on such research to build and promote their own mindfulness programs, especially as many zoos are wooded and could participate in similar forest therapy style events. If zoos can provide such opportunities, both visitors and staff may reap the benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression ( Khoury et al., 2015 ), lower pain scores ( Reiner et al., 2013 ), and improved immunity ( Davidson et al., 2003 ). For visitors, this increases the likelihood of returning to the zoo and valuing the zoo’s work. In turn, this creates longevity in the zoo’s appeal and its influence. For zookeepers, mindfulness events afford opportunities to deal with the burdens of responsibility that zookeeping entails. Zookeepers need time to reflect and focus their thoughts, allowing them to preserve their own wellbeing and better notice when the wellbeing of animals in their care changes and intervention is required. As such, as human wellbeing improved, so does animal wellbeing also improve.

5. Keep learning

An integral aim of the modern zoo is education ( Kleiman, 1985 ), which adds value to the zoo’s living collection, its operations and impacts on society more widely ( Greenwell et al., 2023 ). Zoos have well planned and structured educational offerings for pre-school, school, college, and university-level groups, and provide a wealth of informal educational materials and activities for general visitors too. The importance of zoo education programs is well reviewed and often evaluated to ensure efficacy ( WAZA, 2023 ; EAZA, 2023b ). Formal education sessions and informal educational activities can develop the participants’ connection with nature ( Packer and Ballantyne, 2010 ; Kleespies et al., 2020 , 2022 ). Zoo visitors are receptive to information on wider global issues, e.g., implications of climate change ( Taylor and Duram, 2021 ), and as zoos can promote lifelong learning ( Luebke et al., 2012 ), visits to the zoo can improve awareness and understanding of such global issues to promote positive Behavior change that benefits the quality of life of multiple individuals. As visitor attitudes and perceptions are influenced by the visual messages that they receive as they move through the zoo ( Reade and Waran, 1996 ), zoos should consider the visitor’s journey through the zoo and how opportunities for learning are presented and made available at different enclosures and exhibits. Learning stations and interpretation also needs to consider the demographic at the zoo and perhaps ensure that adult visitors are catered for, as well as children.

Further development of how zoos use social media to provide information to their visitors should be undertaken to maximize integration of real world and online experiences. For example, research on use of social (e.g., a social media platform) and mobile (e.g., personal mobile phones) technologies as part of a museum visit revealed wider engagement of participants, provoked multiple opportunities for social exchange and did not interfere with real time engagement with the physical artifacts on display ( Charitonos et al., 2012 ). These authors also note the importance of integrating social and mobile technologies into educational visits to encourage engagement with overlooked or disadvantaged groups of people.

Many zoos offer educational talks or presentations by zoo staff. Attending these sessions can provide valuable insights into animal Behavior, conservation actions, and the importance of biodiversity to human and planetary health ( Figure 5 ). Live animal shows can be successful in connecting visitors to nature if they display the animal’s adaptations and natural Behavioral traits ( Povey and Rios, 2002 ; Spooner et al., 2021 ), therefore informal education that connects the audience to the animal and its environment is achieved through the display of the animal’s evolutionary characteristics. Linking evolution to ecology, and then to threats and challenges that populations face (e.g., habitat loss and population reductions due to human activities) may allow an audience to see just why animals are threatened, because they possess specific traits and adaptations for specific environments that humans are destroying. Such sessions can grow each individual’s knowledge of conservation issues ( Spooner et al., 2021 ) and, if such information is included in the demonstration, could become tangible tools that encourage audiences to be more sustainable and planetary friendly in daily life ( Mellish et al., 2017 ).

Opportunities to keep learning by visiting a zoo, interacting with signage and with animal displays or encounters, and taking away key information to promote positive human Behavior change.

Such sessions may also provide opportunities for social connections with others, and the chance to build links at the zoo that may result in longer term volunteering roles or similar. Using virtual reality (VR) to augment keeper presentations and educational sessions can bring the otherwise unseen day-to-day care of the zoo’s animals to the visitor’s attention ( Carter et al., 2020 ). Employing novel technologies, such as VR, alongside of social media platforms or app-based methods could inspire deeper and more impactful learning at the zoo to a wider demographic. Visitors respond positively to the presence of VR alongside of also experiencing the live animal in the same space ( Carter et al., 2020 ). Such integrated approaches, of presenting the animal in an enclosure, and of using other forms of technology to reduce distance between the animal and the visitor, could be employed (and evaluated) to see how well connection to nature is advanced, if information presented about the animal is retained for longer, and if visitors feel a deeper bond with the animal they are viewing.

When zoo staff prepare such formal and informal, active and passive learning opportunities, so to are they also experiences their own learning opportunities. Welfare, Behavior, conservation, research and animal care staff at the zoo must embed the latest scientific literature into practice, and therefore must engage with continuous professional development opportunities to ensure they can follow an evidence-based approach. Building mutually respectful and trusting collaborations with academic departments can enable access to scientific research papers and further opportunities for professional development ( Fernandez and Timberlake, 2008 ; Schulz et al., 2022 ). Regional zoo associations also run CPD training events from across a broad spectrum of topics from general zoo governance to species-specific husbandry ( ABWAK, 2023 ; BIAZA, 2023b ). Zoo staff report valuing such learning opportunities but do not always feel supported to seek out or attend conferences and events ( Bacon et al., 2021 ). Supporting zoo staff to attend such events is therefore essential because it allows learning to occur and further enhances staff social and professional connections across and within organizations. It also adds value to the diverse job roles at the zoo and allows staff opportunities for positive reflection on their own self-development.

Being at the zoo also encourages people to give back to try and help the natural world in some capacity. Giving does not mean material items or financial donations, although (where this is financially able and fiscally responsible) donating money to a charity does improve mood ( Geng et al., 2021 ). Those working at the zoo already give back, sometimes with limited financial reward or opportunity for career progression, as zookeepers report self-sacrifice while seeing they have a moral obligation to provide good welfare opportunities for the animals in their care ( Bunderson and Thompson, 2009 ). The public too have opportunities to give. Volunteering time is a form of giving that zoos readily facilitate ( BIAZA, 2023c ). Research suggests that acts of giving help improve mental wellbeing by creating positive feelings and a sense of reward, promoting feelings of purpose and self-worth, and helping to establish connections with others in the community ( Lum and Lightfoot, 2005 ; Rochester, 2006 ; Vannier et al., 2021 ). Although not all research agrees with ideas that volunteering always brings wellbeing benefits ( Whillans et al., 2016 ), study of zoo volunteers shows a profoundly positive response to the work that they conduct ( Fraser et al., 2009 ). Volunteers that are trained, and therefore feel invested in, can report the largest positive outputs from their work ( Smith et al., 2018 ). Therefore, to ensure positive mental health outcomes, volunteer programs should align (as best possible) with the volunteer’s expectations, wants and needs from the work and any pre-existing skills and expertise. As well managed volunteer programs, that value and invest in their volunteers, can increase uptake of pro-environmental and pro-conservation Behaviors ( Bixler et al., 2014 ), zoos can improve connection to nature and provide fulfilling and meaningful community engagement opportunities via their application of volunteers. Although the zoo and its operations will benefit from the presence of volunteers, it is essential that zoos see volunteers as more than this ( Smith et al., 2018 ), and actively provide programs for development and learning alongside of the duties required of the voluntary position.

Volunteering increases human and social capital ( Forbes and Zampelli, 2014 ). Human capital can be defined as the “knowledge, skills, and health that people invest in and accumulate throughout their lives” ( The World Bank, 2022 ), and the extent of this capital helps realize an individual’s potential productivity to society. Social capital is harder to define but considers the social relations that individuals can form that have productive benefits ( Institute for Social Capital, 2023 ), for example opportunities to form, develop and invest in professional and personal relationships that have meaning to the individuals involved. Zoos should consider human and social capital in terms of benefits to the volunteer and to the organization, and to nature conservation and planetary health more widely, when designing and implementing volunteer schemes. The volunteer giving time to the zoo, and the zoo giving resources and opportunities to the volunteer strengthens the overall impact of this relationship on the zoo’s education, engagement and conservation aims, and can boost the positive quality of life outcomes experienced by the individual who is volunteering ( Figure 6 ). This of course is also the case for those employed at the zoo and who go above and beyond to uphold and evidence industry values, the zoo’s mission statement and public expectation relating to animal care. Further research into the personal goals and aspirations of volunteers, their motivations behind taking on the role, what they have gained from it and why they feel this is important should be conducted more widely. Such research would provide evidence for how to develop volunteers, maintain their interest and enthusiasm, and ensure they feel valued and appreciated.

Providing opportunities for people to give back at the zoo can increase social capital (i.e., investment in friendships and in the activities of the organization) and increase human capital (i.e., personal knowledge and skills).

7. Discussion

In this article we have shown that working at or visiting a zoo enables connection with biodiversity and positive feelings of wellbeing. We suggest that zoos can consider a Five Ways to Wellbeing approach when discussing and implementing their living collection plans, designing and crafting visions, mission statements and operational strategies, and embedding opportunities for formal and informal learning for all visitors, staff and volunteers. Each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing are not mutually exclusive. Engagement with one leads to involvement in activities that fulfill many of the others. The multi-dimensional nature of a zoo visit (from seeing the animals, to engaging with people, to exploring a new environment, to the travel to and around the facility, to learning new information and developing ways of using such information) provides a unique way for visitors to become immersed in an environment that can positively impact on physical and mental health. Zoos need to ensure that the environment presented to visitors is a positive one. Animals need to be healthy, behaving in a species-typical, ecologically relevant manner, and all signage, interpretation and messaging needs to be clear and transparent. Zoos educational and conservation messages can be diluted if animals are behaving abnormally and if visitors leave with a poor view of how seriously the zoo views animal welfare. Therefore, developing the zoo as tool to improve mental health and human wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with developments to animal husbandry and management. The zoo must keep abreast of scientific evidence for best practice husbandry ( Rose, 2018 ) and continue to enhance and evolve enclosures and exhibit design so that animal welfare is also good and all living beings maintained in the zoo’s collection have an opportunity to experience “a good life” ( Green and Mellor, 2011 ).

Monitoring of physical and psychological outputs during a zoo visit show that the activity of walking around a zoo reduces blood pressure, increases step rates and improve positive outlooks on life ( Sakagami and Ohta, 2010 ). Encouraging activity by taking visitors on a journey around different enclosures and exhibits therefore has multiple health and wellbeing benefits, as well as encouraging people to feel more relaxed and, therefore, potentially keener to be in the moment and connect to nature. The New Economics Forum has evidenced that those who have strong social relationships, are physically active and continue to be involved in learning experience improvements to wellbeing and physical health ( Aked et al., 2008a ), as social bonds, an active lifestyle and opportunities for learning are all important influencers of health and wellbeing. If zoos are able to identify wellbeing needs in their local communities and target reduced price visitation accordingly, the Five Ways to Wellbeing could be more readily realized for more people who are disconnected from nature. Using the zoo as a way to exercise, whilst learning for example, may open up further possibilities to engage with different demographics.

Being active in the zoo can help people to “move their mood” ( Tonkin and Whitaker, 2021 ) and spending time on leisure activities at the zoo (with family and friends) can instigate conservations, discussions and dialog to help people feel more connected. Research has identified that spending time in immersive zoological exhibits improve the mood of visitors (with self-reported feelings of happiness increasing) and reduces stress ( Coolman et al., 2020 ). Zoos should build on these positive findings by providing maps, trials or tools that relate to the Five Ways to Wellbeing to easily share this concept with zoo visitors. Not all mental health challenges are discussed or visible, and a lowkey approach to improving mood and emotion may help individuals, when they leave the zoo, make changes to their daily lives that will improve their quality of life and reduce anxiety.

For those immersed in these environments as their place of work, there are connection benefits too, particularly for animal care staff. Their roles require undertaking physically demanding work yet their willingness to “give back” beyond their job description resonates as they see the value in their efforts to animal welfare and conservation outcomes. Compassion fatigue is a genuine risk to animal care staff ( Figley and Roop, 2006 ) as the toll of seeing animals failing to thrive can manifest into acquiescence. The relevance of good animal welfare here is paramount – seeing animals thrive brings a sense of proud fulfillment and pride in one’s job. This enhances happiness and creates opportunities to connect with other staff to share successes and good practice, and consequential scope for mindful happiness. Zoos should value their staff and sufficiently support their needs, both personal and professional, while prioritizing animal welfare to evidence the Five Ways to Wellbeing in their extensive workforce.

Key challenges that zoos face to provide a more egalitarian “Five Ways to Wellbeing” experience centre around entry costs and accessibility. Collaboration between institutions when concerning supplies, logistics and procurement, could reduce operating costs ( Baptista et al., 2021 ) and therefore zoos may be able to make reductions to ticket prices for low income groups or for sections of society that may have less disposable income to expend on entry tickets. Corporate sponsorship of reduced ticket entry could widen access to the zoo, and zoos should continue to build relationships with industry partners that could help subsidize ticket costs for key demographics that zoos wish to engage with. Zoos should consider the impact of ticket pricing as a potential barrier to engagement with their work, and engage with external social initiatives, widening participation schemes and philanthropy within their local community to attract audiences that may be unable or unwilling to visit. For example, the “Generation Wild” initiative at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) aims to break down barriers to access to nature, and provides free site entry plus follow-up learning opportunities to build pro-nature, pro-conservation attitudes and Behavior change in adults and children alike ( WWT, 2023 ). Increasing the use of different tools for communication could provide zoos with a way of reaching a wider societal demographic with associated wider societal impacts. Multiple layers of interpretation have been shown as the most effective way of instilling memorable and relatable messaging when experiencing a zoo exhibit ( Weiler and Smith, 2009 ). Therefore, combining different media and formats of messaging could help zoos extend the reach of their key educational outputs and encourage more people to feel connected to nature, as well as encouraging the Keep Learning aspect of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

Zoos also need to consider how disconnected visitors, volunteers and staff may initially be from nature. Oh et al. (2021) demonstrate that spending a longer in nature than usual can be more stressful or anxiety-inducing if the person’s baseline connectivity to nature was weak to begin with. Therefore, zoos need to be mindful of the background of individuals who they attempt to engage with, their prior experiences of the natural world and how they perceive any relationship with nature, before embarking on nature connectivity programs or events. In this article, we have provided an overview of the activities of the modern zoo that support these Five Ways to Wellbeing, in the hope that others will take these concepts, apply and test them to encourage new and effective ways of human engagement with the zoo’s mission and objectives.

Nature-based interventions within the zoo can be of benefit for specific groups of people. For example, individuals with disabilities are less likely to spend time in nature than able-bodied people ( Sahlin et al., 2019 ). Providing nature based interventions for disabled people and their carers has positive educational outputs and improved caretakers enthusiasm for their profession by facilitating new ways of managing stress and providing tools to improve mood ( Sahlin et al., 2019 ). Zoos should work on their outreach programs with under-represented groups, and those with limited access to nature, to ensure the zoo’s green and blue spaces, and the animal collection, are accessible to all those who may benefit from being immersed in a natural setting. Investing in such initiatives and objectives today means ensuring visitor footfall and recruitment of a sustainable workforce in the future.

Zoos should continue to research the potential of their living collections as being beneficial to nature connectivity and as a tool to improve emotions and mood. Research identifies that whilst there can be common, positive findings on how observing and interacting with animals improves human wellbeing ( Sahrmann et al., 2016 ; Gee et al., 2019 ), methodological limitations, biases in experimental design and lack of repeatability can reduce generalisability of research findings ( Clements et al., 2019 ). Cross institutional research, using standardized methods and pre-registering projects to encourage scrutiny prior to data collection may help to generate more robust conclusions that can help decipher exactly why being in nature, or being near animals, is beneficial to human wellbeing.

Zoos can increase connection to nature by considering the situation that experiences take place in. Research on situational interest, i.e., the specific features of a place, location or artifact ( Schiefele, 2009 ), can provide zoos with information on how to present learning opportunities to increase connection with nature. A zoo’s landscape ecology, it’s “zooscape” ( Bisgrove, 2022 ), can promote connection to nature whilst explain the ecological and social importance of habitats and green/blue spaces. Bonderup Dohn (2011) found that school children who were presented with learning activities within an aquarium responded positively to the experience because of the setting. This research identified that the children’s social involvement, the hands-on element of the activity, the activity being a surprise and novel, and the aspect of knowledge acquisition as the main outcome, to be key triggers of interest. These findings are useful for zoos to consider when planning and designing both formal and informal education sessions and when they wish to foster the interest of their visitors in important, fundamental topics (e.g., biodiversity conservation).

Whilst zoos are working hard to expand their wider influences and extend their role in society, there are still areas of publication output and scientific enquiry that can be worked on Rose et al. (2019) . For example, Anzai et al. (2022) shows that not all zoos can have a focus on scientific research and not all research enquiry focuses on the key aims of the modern zoo. Therefore, zoos should continue to increase collaboration and the development of relationships across their own industry and externally too (e.g., with academic departments at universities) to enable all important aspects of their operations to be evidence based. Ultimately, zoos and aquariums need to place a greater emphasis on animal welfare and on human wellbeing as part of their core aims, operational outputs and influence over human populations (their visitors, staff and stakeholders). As examined by Rose and Riley (2022) , cementing Wellbeing as a key aim of the modern zoo provides clear evidence to all invested parties that zoos fundamentally care about animal welfare and human wellbeing because they are working to promote, protect and preserve positive aspects of mental health.

Research has identified that people who care about threats to the natural world are more likely to spend time at the zoo and view the zoo’s work as positive for nature conservation and as a way of encouraging planetary friendly Behavior change ( Taylor and Duram, 2021 ). However, there are many people who may not consider visiting the zoo (as a way of interacting with green and blue spaces) and so zoos should focus some of their efforts and resources on reaching groups of people that are less regular visitors or who never visit. For some, zoos can be controversial institutions whose aims appear contradictory ( Wickins-Dražilová, 2006 ; Carr and Cohen, 2011 ; Maynard, 2018 ). Therefore, the idea of connecting with the natural world in the unnatural setting of zoo’s enclosures and exhibits may appear incompatible. Zoos should therefore promote and explain examples of Behavioral consistency between wild individual and those under human care. For example, parity of vigilance activity in meerkats that, even after many generations in captivity, still perform key wild-type Behaviors ( Huels and Stoeger, 2022 ). This would demonstrate the care that zoos place in their husbandry and management to ensure that species in the living collections remain a true representation of nature. Zoos should also consider the language they use and how they promote themselves. For example, using the term “habitat” for an animal’s enclosure ( Bruno et al., 2023 ) could be seen as disingenuous; a habitat is a biological system, where a species interacts with a myriad of biotic and abiotic interactions ( European Environment Agency, 2023 ). A zoo’s managed environment controls these interactions, and therefore explaining to visitors how specific aspects and resources of a habitat are replicated within an enclosure may be a more honest way of educating visitors on species’ ecology. There is clearly a role for zoos in the protection, promotion and conservation of species that is promoted via public education ( Whitehead, 1995 ; McCubbin, 2022 ). Getting the messaging right, being honest and transparent, and accessible, to encourage wider buy-in of such roles will enhance the relevance of the zoo to a wider demographic.

This article has explored the concept of the Five Ways to Wellbeing regarding the activities and operations of zoos that could be directly co-opted to promote human wellbeing and connection to nature. We have reviewed the scientific literature and practical examples of zoos’ works to demonstrate how the aims and goals of such activities can improve human health and wellbeing, promote access to green/blue spaces and support more opportunities for nature connectivity. Due to the nature of a review paper, we are unable to evaluate or analyze the timescale, logistical considerations, financial requirements, or personnel needs of successfully embedding the Five Ways to Wellbeing into the work of the modern zoo. Empirical information is required to understand how well our suggested Five Ways to Wellbeing concepts and approaches would fare in practice. Further research into the design of a Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative or activity, followed by its implementation, and eventual evaluation and assessment of measurable impact is required to fully evidence the relevance of this approach to the positive outcomes of visiting a zoo and engaging with its living collection and green/blue spaces.

8. Conclusion

This article has reviewed how a Government-instigated initiative that aims to improve human mental health and quality of life could be useful for zoological collections to consider as a way of working to enhance the wellbeing of their communities and improve connection with nature. Our article shows how the key concepts of the Five Ways to Wellbeing can form a framework for zoos to further engage with their human audiences. Each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing is relevant to the work that zoological collections do for their staff, visitors, and the wider communities around them. We have shown that zoos contain many useful and relevant exhibits (e.g., animals within their enclosures), programs (e.g., educational activities and public talks), and resources (e.g., open green spaces, planting, biological artifacts) that together provide multiple opportunities to apply the ideas of Five Ways to Wellbeing. The zoo’s most important resources is its living collection of plants and animals; by tailoring the use of the living collection to improve engagement with the natural world and to better connect their workforce and visitors to nature, zoos are not only able to advance wellbeing of their human stakeholders but also add more value to that already intrinsic within the living collection itself.

Author contributions

PR: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. LR: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing.

Funding Statement

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

1 scholar.google.com

2 webofscience.com

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Investigation through animal–computer interaction: a proof-of-concept study for the behavioural experimentation of colour vision in zoo-housed primates.

Simple Summary

1. introduction, 2. materials and methods, 2.1. animals, 2.2. stimuli, 2.3. apparatus, 2.4. procedure, 3.1. stimuli, 3.2. marmosets and titis, 3.3. spider monkeys, 4. discussion, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

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Goulart, V.D.L.R.; Young, R.J. Investigation through Animal–Computer Interaction: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Behavioural Experimentation of Colour Vision in Zoo-Housed Primates. Animals 2024 , 14 , 1979. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131979

Goulart VDLR, Young RJ. Investigation through Animal–Computer Interaction: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Behavioural Experimentation of Colour Vision in Zoo-Housed Primates. Animals . 2024; 14(13):1979. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131979

Goulart, Vinícius Donisete Lima Rodrigues, and Robert John Young. 2024. "Investigation through Animal–Computer Interaction: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Behavioural Experimentation of Colour Vision in Zoo-Housed Primates" Animals 14, no. 13: 1979. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131979

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Ozempic v. Mounjaro? There's a clear winner for weight loss, study finds.

One next-generation weight loss drug jumps ahead of the other in terms of effectiveness, but remains extremely hard to access..

People lost substantially more weight when they took Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro than Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, with roughly the same side effects, drop-out rate and benefit for diabetes, according to the first major head-to-head study.

Both drugs are in the same class, known as GLP-1s, but Lilly's drug, tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, includes a second action that seems to boost its effectiveness. Separate studies had suggested tirzepatide led to more weight loss than semaglutide, which Novo Nordisk sells as Ozempic, for diabetes and, Wegovy, at a higher dose, for weight loss.

The new study, published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine , compared data on more than 18,000 patients who began taking one of the two medications between May 2022 and September 2023. The study relied on electronic health records from Truveta, a collective of health systems across the country with access to data on more than 100 million patients.

At the time, tirzepatide hadn't yet been approved for weight loss, just diabetes, so the study looked only at people who had prescriptions for the two drugs for type 2 diabetes, although not everyone had the disease.

By November of last year, more than half of the people on both medications ‒ 56% of those taking tirzepatide and 53% of those taking semaglutide ‒ had stopped taking them. Although the study didn't confirm a reason, many have reported side effects from the drugs, typically gastrointestinal, including vomiting and nausea.

The study didn't report whether the people who dropped out regained any weight they lost. Research has shown that so-called yo-yo dieting can cause more health problems than simply carrying extra pounds.

But GLP-1s are by far the most effective and safest class of weight loss drugs ever developed. More than 70% of Americans meet the medical definition for being overweight and 40% for obesity.

"As we've tracked GLP-1 use over the last couple of years, we've just seen these dramatic increases of use," said Tricia Rodriguez, who led the study for Truveta Research, and both drugs are "really revolutionizing the treatment of both diabetes and obesity."

Clear winner? Not so fast, Novo says

Novo Nordisk disputed the study's conclusion.

"The ideal way to compare two treatments is an adequately powered head-to-head randomized clinical trial (RCT) in obesity. Currently, no head-to-head trials have been completed comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide 2.4 mg," the company said in a statement sent by Allison Schneider, the company's director of media relations and issues management.

The 2.4 mg dosage is the highest of semaglutide typically used for weight loss. The highest dose used to address diabetes is lower, so the dosage used by people in the study, which focused on people diagnosed with diabetes, would have been below the optimal dose for weight loss.

For tirzepatide, the highest dosage is the same, whether for weight loss or diabetes.

Specific takeaways from the study

People taking tirzepatide were nearly twice as likely to lose 5% of their body weight as those taking semaglutide; 2.5 times as likely to lose 10% of their body weight; and more than three times as likely to lose 15% of their body weight, the study showed.

After three months on each drug, those taking tirzepatide had lost an average of about 6%, while those taking semaglutide had lost just under 4%. At six months, those on tirzepatide had lost 10%, while those on semaglutide had lost 6%. And at a year, those on tirzepatide had lost 15% of their body weight, compared with 8% for those on semaglutide.

As has been found in other studies, people with diabetes lost less weight on the medications than people who had obesity but not diabetes.

Among the 18,386 people studied, 70% were female, 77% were white, 11% were Black and just over half had type 2 diabetes. Their average body-mass index was 39 and their average age was 52. More than 1 in 5 also had been diagnosed with depression.

Obesity, diabetes and depression often overlap, in part because they are all so common, in part because medications for mental health conditions are associated with weight gain and diabetes onset, and in part because they contribute to one another, said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity medicine expert at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

"Obesity and diabetes can worsen depression, and depression can worsen obesity and diabetes," she said.

Why they're dropping out

Many patients stop taking these extremely effective medications because of side effects and trouble accessing them, say doctors who prescribe them.

The side effects can typically be controlled with adequate medical oversight and proper ramping up of the medication, experts say.

"Patients require more than a prescription for a GLP-1 medication in the last few minutes of a busy appointment," said Saunders, also co-founder of Intellihealth, which provides medical obesity treatment.

Personalized care, time and "tons of education and support" are needed to help people start and stick to these medications, she said.

Both drugs are meant to be taken in steps, starting at a low dose and advancing slowly to higher doses. If a patient cannot tolerate a higher dose, they are typically left at a lower one indefinitely or until side effects lessen, said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Cody Stanford said her only patients who discontinue a GLP-1 for medical reasons are the 1 in 1,000 or so who develop pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas, and the 15% or so who don't see any substantial weight loss after a significant period of time.

For those people, Cody Stanford said, she often has to convince them the drug others describe as a "miracle" simply isn't going to work for them.

"This isn't a 'try harder' situation," she said. "If it works, it works."

Cost and access problems

A much more common reason for discontinuing a GLP-1, Cody Stanford said, is an inability to get access to a reliable and consistent supply.

Both drugs have been hard to access because of supply constraints .

Novo Nordisk says it has provided Wegovy to more than 1 million Americans since 2021, and the highest dose strengths of 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg are now fully available, "which aligns to our goal of doing our best to ensure existing patients have continuity of care as they dose escalate per the label," according to a company statement.

"At this time, we can’t speculate when Wegovy will become fully available at all dose strengths but we are doing everything we can to build manufacturing capacity and supply to meet patient needs," the statement said.

Supply updates are available at WegovySupply.com .

Lilly did not respond to a request for comment but has struggled to keep up with demand for tirzepatide, particularly since it was approved for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound.

For her patients, Fatima Cody Stanford said she now has been able to access Novo's semaglutide but not Lilly's tirzepatide.

Both drugs cost about $1,000 a month for the highest dose, and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk's semaglutide formulation for weight loss, costs more than Ozempic, its diabetes drug, because the highest dose is higher.

Cody Stanford said the high price and access problems mean people who need the medications most have the hardest time getting them.

Most of the study participants were middle-class white women ‒ and those prescribed tirzepatide were even more likely to be white and female, Rodriguez said. There's a difference between the patients on tirzepatide and those on semaglutide, and some patients can't access either one, she said.

Black, Hispanic and Native women have the highest rates of obesity and diabetes but typically don't get coverage for GLP-1s. "There's a mismatch in who gets coverage with these more novel therapies and who doesn't," Cody Stanford said.

Edinburgh Zoo chimpanzee dies after suffering severe injuries in troop fight

Rene, a 31-year-old male, was severely injured in the brawl and died last week. Edinburgh Zoo said the keepers attempted to intervene to stop the fight.

Scotland reporter @Jenster13

Monday 8 July 2024 17:37, UK

A chimpanzee at Edinburgh Zoo has died after a fight broke out in the ape's enclosure.

Rene, a 31-year-old male, was severely injured in the brawl and died last week.

Fellow chimp Qafzeh was also hurt and required surgery. The ape is said to be doing well and is gradually being reintroduced to the troop.

Edinburgh Zoo, which is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland , said the keepers attempted to intervene and stop the fight, but Rene could not be saved.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

In a statement released online on Monday, the visitor attraction said: "We're sad to share the news that Rene, one of our chimpanzees, sadly passed away last week after an altercation within the troop.

"Chimp group dynamics are incredibly complex and Rene, who was 31 years old, was part of a fight which broke out within the troop.

"This type of behaviour occurs in the wild, especially around breeding time when females are in season and when males are challenging for dominance of the group.

"Our expert keepers did everything they could to separate the fight and keep the rest of the troop safe, but sadly Rene's injuries were severe."

Read more from Sky News: Man gored at bull run Escaped parrot found five miles away after 'wild weekend'

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The zoo said Rene was a "huge personality", adding that he "will be missed by those who cared for him".

Related Topics

• animal welfare

London Zoo seeks memories and memorabilia to mark 200th anniversary

• Published 29 April

Zookeeper Wally Styles getting a kiss from a Bactrian camel in 1929

Memories and memorabilia are being sought by London Zoo to contribute to an exhibition marking its bicentenary.

Public submissions will be included in a 2026 display showcasing 200 years of conservation and research.

A 1930s ostrich egg, commemorative polar bear soaps and a first edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, are artefacts already in the archive.

The zoo was the first to allow visitors without needing a special order.

The zoo's History Hive project , external aims to build a collection of "the tangible and the intangible", from vintage zoo toys and old tickets, to an oral history archive to preserve first-hand testimony.

Gorillas in our midst and other primate tales

Zoo census tots up tigers and tallies tortoises

Zoo unveils monkey walkthrough attraction

Sir David Attenborough's very first natural history documentary, The Pattern of Animals, featured the zoo, and even Winnie the Pooh is based upon a black bear named Winnie, befriended by author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin.

Natasha Wakely, the zoo's archivist, said the project was "an incredible opportunity for us to unearth the objects and material culture which bring to life our 200 years of history".

A commemorative soap to mark the arrival of baby polar bear Brumas

Old entrance tickets form part of the archive

The zoo, in London's Regents Park, had the first public fish house, insect house, reptile house, and built the first walk-through aviary. It also came up with the word aquarium, a portmanteau of aquatic and vivarium.

It was the first place to successfully breed a polar bear, called Brumas, in captivity and also has the only photographs of a living quagga - a zebra subspecies that is now extinct.

The only photographs of a living quagga were taken at the zoo

Brumas, pictured in 1949 with mother Ivy

The zoo has had a number of famous residents:

Guy the gorilla

Guy arrived in 1947, clutching a hot water bottle and only responding to French (having previously been in a Paris zoo)

Guy became one of the zoo's best loved characters - when sparrows entered his enclosure, he would scoop them up gently and peer at them before letting them go.

He died in 1978 from a heart attack while having surgery on his teeth.

Obaysch the hippo

An image from the 1870s shows the first hippo to reach Europe since the days of the Roman Empire

Obaysch was captured near an island in the Nile from which he took his name.

After wintering in Cairo he arrived in London on 25 May 1850, becoming the first hippo to reach Europe's shores since the days of the Roman Empire.

Queen Victoria inspected him shortly after his arrival and compared his swimming to that of a porpoise.

Goldie the golden eagle

Goldie the golden eagle escaped for almost a fortnight in 1965

When Goldie the golden eagle escaped in 1965, the story gripped the nation - even being mentioned in the House of Commons.

Five thousand people caused traffic jams around Regent's Park as he flew from tree to tree.

After 11 days and 19 and a half hours, he was finally recaptured and returned to the zoo.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook , external , X , external and Instagram , external . Send your story ideas to [email protected]

Related Topics

• Conservation
• Zoological Society of London
• Social history
• Wildlife conservation

More on this story

• Published 21 January

• Published 3 January

• Published 29 July 2022

Related Internet Links

History Hive Project

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July 8, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

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To boost ocean research, some scientists are turning to superyachts

by Laurel Chor, Bloomberg News

For almost two years, Robert Brewin collected data from the bow of a superyacht as it sailed pristine waters from the Caribbean Sea to the Antarctic Ocean.

The Archimedes, a 222-foot "adventure" yacht then owned by the late hedge funder James Simons, boasts a gym, a jacuzzi and an elevator. But between 2018 and 2020, Brewin was concerned only with the boat's Sea-Bird Scientific Solar Tracking Aiming System, installed to measure light reflecting off of the water. A senior lecturer at the UK's University of Exeter, Brewin and his colleagues were analyzing microplankton—microscopic organisms at the base of the marine food chain—by studying the ocean's color. The Sea-Bird's readouts helped them verify satellite imagery.

Brewin's was not your typical superyacht itinerary, but he is one of hundreds of scientists to have used an adventure yacht—also known as expedition or explorer yachts—to conduct research on the ocean. In a paper published in Frontiers in Remote Sensing , Brewin and his co-authors touted the potential of "harnessing superyachts" for science, concluding that "reaching out to wealthy citizen scientists may help fill [research capability] gaps."

It's a view shared—and being pushed—by the Yacht Club of Monaco and the Explorers Club, a New York City-based organization focused on exploration and science (of which, full disclosure, I am a member). In March, the groups co-hosted an environmental symposium that included an awards ceremony for yacht owners who "stand out for their commitment to protecting the marine environment ." The Archimedes won a "Science & Discovery" award.

"If a yacht is operating 365 days a year, rather than having it sit idle it'd be much better for it to contribute a positive return through science and conservation," says Rob McCallum, an Explorers Club fellow and founder of US-based EYOS Expeditions, which runs adventure yacht voyages.

EYOS charters yachts from private owners for its excursions, and is a founding member of Yachts for Science, a four-year-old organization that matches privately owned yachts with scientists who need time at sea. (Other members include yacht builder Arksen, media firm BOAT International, and nonprofits Nekton Foundation and Ocean Family Foundation.) Yachts for Science will enable about $1 million worth of donated yacht time this year, McCallum says, a figure he expects to hit $15 million by 2029.

"There's a personal satisfaction that we are contributing to something that is bigger than us," says Tom Peterson, who co-owns an insurance underwriting company in California and has what he jokingly refers to as a "mini superyacht."

Every year for the past decade, Peterson has donated about 15 to 20 days of time and fuel on the 24-meter Valkyrie to scientists, who he takes out himself as a licensed captain and former scuba dive operator. He often works with the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, and allows researchers to stay aboard for days at a time instead of having to constantly make the 1.5-hour trip to and from shore.

To link up with scientists, Peterson works with the International SeaKeepers Society, a Florida-based nonprofit that engages the yachting community to support ocean conservation and research. "The more we understand things about the ocean in general, the better we all are in the long run," he says.

When "superyacht" and "the environment" appear in the same sentence, it's usually in a different context. In 2019, one study estimated that a single 71-meter superyacht has the same annual carbon footprint as about 200 cars. In 2021, another paper found that superyachts were the single greatest contributor to the carbon footprint of 20 of the world's most prominent billionaires, accounting for 64% of their combined emissions.

"If you really want to respect the environment, you can just go surf," says Grégory Salle, a senior researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research and author of the book Superyachts: Luxury, Tranquility and Ecocide. Salle is open to the idea that superyachts could be used to advance scientific research, but says it's contradictory for anyone to buy a superyacht and claim to be truly concerned about the environment.

McCallum says people who own adventure yachts tend to be younger than your standard superyacht owner, and have a particular interest in remote and pristine places. "They're not the sort of people that are content to just hang out in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean," he says. "Antarctica, the Arctic, the remote Indian Ocean, the remote Pacific Ocean, the Subantarctic islands… that's where you're going to find us delivering our services."

Explorer yachts aren't the only way scientists can reach those destinations, but demand for dedicated research vessels does outstrip available supply. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), arguably the world's greatest collector of oceanographic data, has a fleet of 15 research and survey vessels for the use of its scientists.

Academic researchers can also apply to use the fleet, often at a subsidized rate. But scientists request roughly 15,000 to 20,000 days of boat time every year. In 2019, NOAA was able to fill just 2,300 of them, according to an internal study.

That gap is particularly problematic as the planet warms. Oceans provide services that scientists call "existentially important," producing more than half of the oxygen we breathe and serving as the world's largest carbon sink. They also absorb 30% of our carbon emissions and 90% of the excess heat generated by them.

G. Mark Miller, a retired NOAA Corps officer who was in charge of several of the agency's research vessels, has a different solution in mind when it comes to bolstering ocean research: smaller boats, fit for purpose. Superyachts can cost north of $500 million, he says, "why don't we build a hundred $5 million vessels and flood the ocean science community?"

After leaving NOAA, Miller in 2021 launched Virginia-based Greenwater Marine Sciences Offshore with a vision of building a global fleet of research vessels and offering their use at affordable prices. He says hiring a NOAA boat can cost scientists between $20,000 and $100,000 per day. GMSO plans to charge less than $10,000 a day for most missions. The company says it's close to acquiring its first three vessels.

Miller hopes his business model will help scientists conduct the work they need to—particularly in under-served regions like the Asia-Pacific—without worrying about getting a luxury yacht covered in "muddy worms, plankton goo, dead fish [and] whale snot." He describes yacht owners donating boat time to scientists as "better than nothing," and says it can help get regular people interested in science and exploration.

Christopher Walsh, captain of the Archimedes, says he and his crew love taking part in science initiatives, especially when there's an educational component. "I get a real thrill when we can stream to the classrooms—you can't imagine the enthusiasm the kids display," Walsh says. "That gives me a lot of hope for the future."

Journal information: Frontiers in Remote Sensing

2024 Bloomberg News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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