Description
Book SynopsisZoo animals as a population are a diverse array of species from all around the globe. When managed in captivity, it is important that key aspects of natural ecology are factored into animal care, as well as considerations relating to welfare, life history and behavioural needs. The Behavioural Biology of Zoo Animals is the first book on captive animal behaviour and how this applies to welfare.
The book enables all aspects of zoo husbandry and management (nutrition, enclosure design, handling and training, enrichment, population management) to be based on a sound knowledge of the species, its evolutionary history and its natural history. Chapters from expert authors cover a vast range of taxa, from primates and elephants to marine mammals and freshwater fish, to reptiles, birds and invertebrates. A final part looks to the future, considering animal health and wellbeing, the visitor experience and future visions for zoos and aquariums.
For on-the-ground practitioner
Trade Review
"The Behavioral Biology of Zoo Animals leverages the expertise of biologists to describe key aspects of a species’ natural life history and behavioral ecology that can inform holistic, evidence-based animal management decisions to enhance the health and wellbeing of zoo and aquarium animals. The taxa covered in this text are remarkably diverse and extend beyond high-profile species, with entire chapters dedicated to historically under-represented taxonomic groups such as amphibians, reptiles, fishes, sharks, and invertebrates. The book is an eloquent synergy of scientific research and species-specific husbandry that looks into the future of how we manage animals in zoos and aquariums, making it a valuable resource for animal managers, administrators, scientists, veterinarians, and students alike."
James Gillis, PhD, South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Florida, USA
"This book emphasises the importance of applying behavioural ecology concepts to zoo animals and as such should have broad appeal to students from a range of biological disciplines from zoology to animal behaviour and animal management. It is particularly exciting to see emphasis placed on less studied (in zoos) taxonomic groups such as invertebrates and amphibians."
Katherine Jones, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Bangor University, UK
"The Behavioral Biology of Zoo Animals leverages the expertise of biologists to describe key aspects of a species’ natural life history and behavioral ecology that can inform holistic, evidence-based animal management decisions to enhance the health and wellbeing of zoo and aquarium animals. The taxa covered in this text are remarkably diverse and extend beyond high-profile species, with entire chapters dedicated to historically under-represented taxonomic groups such as amphibians, reptiles, fishes, sharks, and invertebrates. The book is an eloquent synergy of scientific research and species-specific husbandry that looks into the future of how we manage animals in zoos and aquariums, making it a valuable resource for animal managers, administrators, scientists, veterinarians, and students alike."
James Gillis, PhD, South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Florida, USA
"This book emphasises the importance of applying behavioural ecology concepts to zoo animals and as such should have broad appeal to students from a range of biological disciplines from zoology to animal behaviour and animal management. It is particularly exciting to see emphasis placed on less studied (in zoos) taxonomic groups such as invertebrates and amphibians."
Katherine Jones, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Bangor University, UK
Table of ContentsForeword by Geoff Hosey. PART I SETTING THE SCENE. 1. Introduction to the Behavioural Biology of the Zoo. 2. Behavioural Biology in Animal Collection Planning and Conservation 3. Behavioural Biology, Conservation Genomics and Population Viability (OPEN ACCESS) 4. Behavioural Biology, Applied Zoo Science and Research 5. Behavioural Biology Methods and Data Collection in the Zoo PART II SELECTED TAXONOMIC ACCOUNTS 6. The Behavioural Biology of Primates 7. The Behavioural Biology of Ungulates and Elephants 8. The Behavioural Biology of Carnivores 9. The Behavioural Biology of Marine Mammals 10. The Behavioural Biology of Marsupials and Monotremes 11. The Behavioural Biology of Flightless Birds 12. The Behavioural Biology of Waterbirds 13. Behavioural Biology of Parrots 14. The Behavioural Biology of Hornbills, Toucans and Kingfishers 15. The Behavioural Biology of Passerines 16. The Behavioural Biology of Captive Reptiles 17. The Behavioural Biology of Amphibians 18. The Behavioural Biology of Freshwater Fishes 19. The Behavioural Biology of Marine Fishes and Sharks 20. Behavioural Biology of Invertebrates PART III FOR THE FUTURE 21. Behavioural Biology and Zoo Animal Welfare: For the Future 22. Behavioural Biology and Animal Health and Wellbeing 23. Behavioural Biology and Enhancing Visitor Education and Experiences 24. Behavioural Biology and the Zoo as a Nature Reserve 25. Behavioural Biology for the Evidence-based Keeper. Behavioural Biology and the Future Zoo: Overall Conclusions.
