Making zoos work

I think being an observer these last two weeks makes me take more stock in how the zoo isn’t, and shouldn’t be thought of, as a static institution. Before our visit, I felt that zoos would better meet their goal as a means of both conservation and recreation by focusing on at least matching animals to zoos in environments closer to the animals' natural habitats. But after that trip, I felt like not enough people in general support the efforts of the zoo as a whole. I was surprised to see the association between the concession stands and gift shop as the zoo’s main means of getting funds from the general public. I think it’s great, as I’d rather get a sticker or a book in place of a ticket stub. But there didn’t seem to be a big visual push throughout the zoo to inform people of how they could support it right then and there, as well as in the future. What if there was a reading time about different animals from time to time in the gift shop? Or if the gift shop was part retail, part exploration destination with more interactive components for kids? Kind of like the COSI museum in Columbus, OH (http://www.cosi.org).

After our second trip, I recalled how for many “city kids” who have very limited contact with or knowledge of animals, visiting the zoo is a rare chance to observe living animals in general. I don’t think that just watching an animal on television shares the same kind of information that seeing, smelling, and hearing one in person does. If humane conditions is the problem that frustrates people, then the condition of the facilities should be addressed, and not validity of the zoo. In some ways the zoo is treated like a museum, but then criticized for not evolving fast enough to the changing needs of the animals. It will never be able to satisfy both roles successfully without starting to embrace more unorthodox means of educating the public both to its mission of conservation and its need for committed financial support in order to keep its infrastructure current. Actively partnering with local educational groups and organizations, providing informative and more interactive ways to engage to children should be a focus so that it is recognized as a resource that needs conscious feedback and support from the public in order to sustain itself and the care of the animals.