Zoo Ethics: The Challenges of Compassionate Conservation

by Jenny Gray, Joel Sartore (Foreword)

Zoo Ethics examines the workings of modern zoos and considers the core ethical challenges faced by people who choose to hold and display animals in zoos, aquariums, or sanctuaries. Jenny Gray asserts the value of animal life and assesses the impacts of modern zoos, including the costs to animals in terms of welfare and the loss of liberty. Gray highlights contemporary events, including the killing of the gorilla Harambe at the Cincinnati Zoo in May 2016, the widely publicized culling of a young giraffe in the Copenhagen Zoo in 2014, and the investigation of the Tiger Temple in western Thailand.

Gray describes the positive welfare and health outcomes of many animals held in zoos, the increased attention and protection for their species in the wild, and the enjoyment and education of the people who visit zoos. Zoo Ethics will empower students of animal ethics and veterinary sciences, zoo and aquarium professionals, and interested zoo visitors to have an informed view of the challenges of compassionate conservation and to develop their own ethical positions.

Genres: Animals, Philosophy, Nonfiction

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rachel Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book eloquently explores the ethical challenges associated with modern zoos. It is well researched, thought provoking and rich in unique insights written by a highly respected zoo professional.

'Zoo Ethics' helps its reader better understand the need for a compassionate approach to conservation. As its title suggests, the book explores the many challenges that modern zoos face, and must therefore overcome with the support of their community, if they are to rise to their wildlife conservation ambitions whilst providing exceptional standards of animal welfare and community education.

The book draws upon the lens of major ethical theories to narrate key chapters, and left me feeling hopeful. If today's modern zoos can carefully and strategically navigate the inherent challenges of a compassionate approach to conservation, the number of people that visit good zoos worldwide, currently estimated at 700 million, will grow and provide the social license and capacity needed to position zoos as critical influencers and enablers in the movement to fight wildlife extinctions. However, to achieve this, the global zoo community will need to continue to evolve and collaboratively address a number of 'wicked problems'.

Zoo Ethics is a must read for all zoo professionals. This book is also well suited to anyone interested in exploring the value of the modern zoo, and to those that question whether there's a difference between good zoos and bad zoos?

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while but finally got to it! A book I would recommend anyone, whether you are in favour of zoos, against them or in between. Truly makes you think beyond the surface questions and you can gain valuable insights!

[Heather Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the post-Blackfish world, zoos are coming under public scrutiny like never before. With a lot of misinformation going back and forth, a book like this is just what is needed. Here, Jenny Gray tackles the question 'are zoos ethically defensible?' from within multiple ethical frameworks; giving both those who advocate for and those who oppose zoos some more formal argumentative structure to work within. She concludes that well-run zoos are justifiable, and perhaps even required, but that all zoos should be striving for change and improvement to meet this charge. This is an easy-to-read introduction for those not familiar with zoos or moral philosophy, but still provides enough to think about for those working in these fields. Ultimately, it is about providing information about the work of zoos, and frameworks for thinking, to allow us to weigh up and form our own conclusions.

[Frank Schaer · Rating 1 out of 5]

unfortunately heavy laden with platitudes like "No zoo should act in a way that is consistent with torture or allow the torture of animals in their care".

[Dimitri Sprokkereef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gray provides a well-balanced contemplation on a subject that is one of the victims of a very black-and-white discussion of our age. Although the book follows a clear structure in witch different ethical frameworks are explored in the search of an ideal framework to think about zoo ethics, it fails to provide new idea's, once the main arguments are given, and instead looks at these arguments trough the perspective of the different ethical principles that are discussed. In conclusion, I think the book helps understand that there is more to it than what is shown in the media and provides us with ideas on how to deal with this ethical complexity. Yet the idea's that are explored are made clear early on and not a lot of new idea's are explored later in the book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author acknowledges there is a disquiet many people feel about keeping wild animals in captivity and I put myself in that camp. This book provided me with the frameworks to think deeply about what is morally acceptable and why.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does a great job at making a person see both good and bad.

[Mills College Library]

590.74 G7796 2017