This book is intended as an introductory text for students studying a wide
range of courses concerned with animal management, zoo biology and wildlife
conservation, and should also be useful to zookeepers and other zoo
professionals. It is divided into three parts. Part 1 considers the function of
zoos, their history, how zoos are managed, ethics, zoo legislation and wildlife
conservation law. Part 2 discusses the design of zoos and zoo exhibits, animal
nutrition, reproduction, animal behaviour (including enrichment and training),
animal welfare, veterinary care, animal handling and transportation. Finally,
Part 3 discusses captive breeding programmes, genetics, population biology,
record keeping, and the educational role of zoos, including a consideration of
visitor behaviour. It concludes with a discussion of the role of zoos in the
conservation of species in the wild and in species reintroductions. This book
takes an international perspective and includes a wide range of examples of the
operation of zoos and breeding programmes particularly in the UK, Europe, North
America and Australasia.
