American Zoo: A Sociological Safari

by David Grazian

Orangutans swing from Kevlar-lined fire hoses. Giraffes feast on celebratory birthday cakes topped with carrots instead of candles. Hi-tech dinosaur robots growl among steel trees, while owls watch animated cartoons on old television sets. In American Zoo, sociologist David Grazian takes us on a safari through the contemporary zoo, alive with its many contradictions and strange wonders.

Trading in his tweed jacket for a zoo uniform and a pair of muddy work boots, Grazian introduces us to zookeepers and animal rights activists, parents and toddlers, and the other human primates that make up the zoo’s social world. He shows that in a major shift away from their unfortunate pasts, American zoos today emphasize naturalistic exhibits teeming with lush and immersive landscapes, breeding programs for endangered animals, and enrichment activities for their captive creatures. In doing so, zoos blur the imaginary boundaries we regularly use to separate culture from nature, humans from animals, and civilization from the wild. At the same time, zoos manage a wilderness of competing priorities—animal care, education, scientific research, and recreation—all while attempting to serve as centers for conservation in the wake of the current environmental and climate-change crisis. The world of the zoo reflects how we project our own prejudices and desires onto the animal kingdom, and invest nature with meaning and sentiment.

A revealing portrayal of comic animals, delighted children, and feisty zookeepers, American Zoo is a remarkable close-up exploration of a classic cultural attraction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Sociology, Ethnography, Nature

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not a weekend read, I enjoyed the deeper look at zoos the author provides. Taking readers on a tour of the zoo from all angles - from patrons to animals to keepers to those that support and criticize the institution - David Grazian provided some interesting observations about the tightrope zoos must walk. My husband is a zoo curator, so I found the behind-the-scenes stories particularly enlightening, even for one who has heard similar stories from her husband. However, this is likely not a book for everyone, especially because of its length and academic point-of-view. You can get the gist of Grazian's thesis by just reading the intro/conclusion of each chapter, but each is further packed with detailed examples, quotes, and excerpts to support his conclusions. But I would recommend reading the introduction and final chapter fully.
As for why it gets 3 instead of a 4: I do feel his sweeping statement that only the young female zookeepers getting degrees and introducing new techniques will save the institution. That is a gross overgeneralization, since my husband - who is male and young - went to school to become a zookeeper and uses many of the techniques Grazian lists. I agree women are joining the predominately male zookeeper workforce in greater numbers (as we should!), but it always rubs me the wrong way when an author focuses on one detail and makes a sweeping, generalized conclusion from it.

[Drucilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit more academic heavy than I was expecting, but it was still an enjoyable read. Grazian did a good job of presenting all of the different viewpoints. I wished he had talked a bit more about what the Association of Zoos and Aquariums does, more specifically, what the accreditation process is like for zoos. I was shocked to know such a low number are actually accredited. But that's more of a nit-pick than anything. I still found the book interesting.

[Kat Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a great look at understanding zoos, their importance, and the type of people who work in them. And the fact that I'm in the book doesn't hurt either!

[Joseph Adelizzi, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Philadelphia Zoo has long been a part of my life.

I remember stampeding out of dad’s ‘65 Tempest with my sister, racing ahead of mom and dad, elephant keys in hand, then laughing hysterically as dad impersonated the grunting of the walrus; I remember mom’s embarrassment as she pulled my sister and me away from the male kangaroo who was lounging in his enclosure, sprawled out like Burt Reynolds in that Cosmo centerfold, pleasuring himself.

I remember pulling up to the Zoo in my ‘83 EXP with unfounded pride to spend the day with long forgotten acquaintances, then scratching my head about the new Okapi. I remember snide comments about the wild boar not seeming so wild, seeming more of a “bore” than a “boar.”

I remember sheepishly approaching the ‘86 Grand Am driven to the zoo by my future wife the day I met her kids for the first time (less than 1 year later we became a family) - I won’t lie, I have no recollection of the animals we saw at the zoo that day.

I remember parking my ‘94 Saturn on the road behind the Zoo reserved for employees and volunteers, outside of normal business hours, and having the lion cubs stalk me from their special enclosure as I headed to the Volunteer Office; I remember the time I actually saw the polar bears swimming!

And I remember just a couple of months back unpacking our 3 year old granddaughter from the ‘15 Volvo, pointing out to her both the “big” Zoo balloon which she more eruditely proclaimed to be “enormous” and the “cave” in the birdhouse which she more insightfully labeled an “igloo.” And I will never forget her face as she marveled at the penguins just like her mom did years ago.

So it was only natural for me to pick up David Grazian’s American Zoo when I read of his connection to the Philadelphia Zoo.

I have to admit the book wasn’t the feel-good treat I was expecting. Rather, it is an academic, thoughtfully presented sociological examination of American Zoos. I also admit that over the years I have had some pangs of guilt about zoo animals - like the time years ago when I almost suffocated as I watched either an anteater or an aardvark walk back and forth against the front wall of its small, sparse enclosure.

Are we doing zoo animals a disservice? Grazian discusses.

Are zoos pandering for money at the expense of their mission? Grazian discusses.

Do zoos have the wrong mission? Grazian discusses.

Are animal rights activists misguided? Grazian discusses.

Are “bunny huggers” full of a saccharine sentimentality while mourning zookeepers who pen odes to a recently deceased animal good-hearted and devoted to their charges? Grazian discusses.

Should female zookeepers earn what male zookeepers earn, and should all zookeepers be better paid? Damn straight, and Grazian discusses.

Even after reading American Zoo I doubt I know the definitive answer to any of these questions - except the equal and better pay no-brainer. Kudos though to Grazian for a thoughtful work which raises many important questions. Here’s what I do know: the zookeepers at the Philadelphia Zoo (and I’m sure all the other zoos as well) love their charges and provide the best care possible; the Zoo is run by well-intentioned people who may or may not wear high heels and throw a champagne party at times to raise funds; the animal enclosures are much more interesting to the animals than they were years ago. Here’s what I think: sending the zoo animals back to the wild is as desirable as some well-meaning advanced alien sending me back to the wild to free my captive soul; I think it would be ideal if zoos could somehow lead a movement to buy up green spaces in and around the city and keep them undeveloped to help curb urban sprawl and other anthropocene fallout; I think our species is having so many deleterious effects on the planet that fretting over zoos which are caring for animals that could no longer exist anywhere else is not a big payback issue; I think there are some uncertified zoos out there which should be shut down.

Beyond all Grazian’s questions and opinions, and beyond the many ideas the book had me mulling, I think it a special gift that, thanks to many good and caring people, I have zoo memories going back over a half century which make me smile. That’s well worth the price of admission to me.

[Roberta Decenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really eye opening book about the behind the scenes of a zoo and our interactions with these popular and iconic institutions. Living near the Smithsonian Zoo myself, I really enjoyed learning about the evolution, care, effort, and devotion that goes behind zoological institutions today. It was a read well worth it!

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

First ever book to lay out what zoos are really all about. The author gives you every aspect pro and con and fills the book with anecdotes that amuse and horrify, especially the ignorance of the public and the exploitation of zoo workers. Up to date, thoughtful, insightful, thorough - a very good book on the subject. About the only gripe I have is the long wordy sentences full of repetition, over and over again listing animals, scenes, events, problems. Dulled down the overall good clear writing.

[Pandaduh · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a DNF for me.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the variety of topics that were covered by Grazian in this book. I appreciated how much research he did, even going so far as volunteering at two zoos. While I understand Grazian was approaching zoos from a sociological perspective, I feel like many areas were glossed over and I wish went more in-depth. For example, I feel like his argument for conservation education was oversimplified. I also wish he went more in depth about the process of training animals. I may be biased in that though as someone who’s really loves positive reinforcement training. I think this is a great read for someone who knows very little about zoos but is interested in learning more. I will say it’s pretty dense but if you like this sort of thing, you might find the information interesting.

[Amelia Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book details the responsibilities and expectations of the American zoo in this new age of environmental crises dubbed the Anthropocene. Grazian's writing tends toward the dry, academic side with just enough humor to lighten the cognitive load. I learned more about zoos from reading this book than I knew there was to learn. If you are curious why zoos do and how they do them, this is the book for you.

[Rebecca Briesemeister]

I read this book for my college writing class that was centered around zoos. This book was very interesting and debates a lot of topics within zoos. It calls to attention thinks like labor and care of the animals as well as things that us zoo goers are doing wrong when attending the zoo. Grazian gets specific and tells personal stories to convey his feelings in a meaningful way.

[Ashley Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to see all sides of the zoo! The author was wonderful at taking us through a journey on how essential our views of this era are.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little anecdotal for my liking, but I appreciate that the book discusses both pros and cons to the zoo system and how they can improve in the future.

[Rondi Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but it certainly was not a quick, easy read. As another reviewer noted, this book is not for everyone due to it's length and academic point-of-view, but in general it is an honest portrayal of the zoo system that gives fair voice to both promoters and detractors.