• Home|
• Yes|
• No|
• Your reaction|
• Archive

Should zoos be closed?

IF ANYBODY could witness the look of amazement and wonder on the face of a six-year-old child as he, or she, sees an elephant, a snake or a gorilla for the very first time, it is unlikely that zoos would ever again be put on the defensive by being asked this question.

The ethical and well-managed zoo has a vital role in our society. Our disconnection from the living world is progressing rapidly and often the only opportunity for busy urbanites to see animals is at the zoo.

The fact is that there are simply too many of us consuming too great a proportion of the Earth's natural resources to allow non-human species a share that secures their future. Zoos are well placed to inspire their visitors to care and to encourage them to play a part in reducing the relentless rate of destruction. Of course, in our culture, the very word zoo still has negative connotations - often evoking ideas of bored animals kept in Victorian menageries for the benefit of an unappreciative audience.

Visit a world-class facility such as Dublin Zoo and you will discover that nothing could be further from the truth. Animals here live enriched lives in natural social groups, they are fit and healthy, able to breed and raise their own young. They can be observed in naturalistic spaces with vegetation, substrate, water features and so on that reflect their native habitat.

Animal habitats are designed with the animal's physical, psychological and social needs in mind. The designers of Dublin Zoo's Kaziranga forest trail, for example, sought inspiration from the wild before ever setting pen to paper.

Two healthy calves later, the habitat is proving a delight for elephants and their visitors alike. The modern zoo fulfils multiple roles: as a living classroom, conservation centre, animal sanctuary, centre of excellence in animal husbandry, animal welfare, science and research, a business and a major visitor attraction.

And of course, there is another essential element that many zoos often find embarrassing to discuss in this context - fun! In order to remind people of the joy of the natural world, and to encourage and inspire visitors to understand wildlife, the zoo has to offer a really great day out for all.

The zoo is managed by caring professionals who devote their lives to the welfare and care of animals and to understanding their needs. They are educated in the natural habitat of the animals, diet, reproductive biology, nutrition, genetics, health screening and social grouping. Modern zoos, such as Dublin Zoo, adhere to strict codes of practice in animal welfare laid down by European and global associations.

Through such organisations, partnerships among zoos and other kindred institutions, agencies and individuals are encouraged. This in turn leads to opportunities for co-operative research in conservation, biological and veterinary sciences.

By supporting specific research staff, collaborative partnerships with universities and regular publications, symposiums and workshops, they constantly develop knowledge, understanding and expertise.

Dublin Zoo financially supports a variety of projects, and great apes, tigers, tortoises, turtles and rhinos have been recipients of zoo-run funding campaigns over the last five years. This year the zoo is supporting amphibians, whose plight around the world is cause for serious concern.

Other in situ (in the wild) projects the zoo supports are the golden lion tamarin, scimitar-horned oryx, west African primates, Humboldt's penguin and the great hornbill.

There are more than 150 different species currently part of global zoo breeding programmes - these include gorillas, chimpanzees, orang-utans, snow leopards, Asian elephants, Amur and Sumatran tigers. Dublin Zoo has, of course, changed a great deal in recent years.

Thanks to support from the Government, sponsors and its ever-increasing numbers of visitors, Dublin Zoo is becoming a world-class facility that Ireland should be proud to call its own.

More than 900,000 visited Dublin Zoo in 2007. All age groups, nationalities and different walks of life were represented - 50,000 of them were schoolchildren who visited as part of their formal education. Many will have discovered and wondered about animals from places they have barely even heard of.

They may also have been lucky enough to speak to teachers, keepers, volunteers or expert horticulturalists who work tirelessly towards making the experience exciting, fun and educational.

Imagine the void left if the zoo was closed. Who would tell children about how elephants communicate, why monkeys hang by their tails or why flamingos are pink? How wonderful that they can see a real elephant or a zebra, or even a meerkat, without even having to switch on the television.

Veronica Chrisp is head of marketing at Dublin Zoo