Free Download A Wilder Kingdom
by Minteer, Ben A.;Greene, Harry;
English | 2023 | ISBN: 0231201532 | 280 pages | True PDF | 8.43 MB
Zoos have always had a troubled relationship to what is considered the "real" wild. Even the most immersive and naturalistic zoos, critics maintain, are inherently contrived and inauthentic environments. Zoo animals’ diet, care, and reproduction are under pervasive human control, with natural phenomena like disease and death kept mostly hidden from public view. Furthermore, despite their growing commitment to conservation and education, zoos are entertainment providers that respond to visitors’ expectations and preferences. What would a "wilder" zoo―one that shows the public a wider range of ecological processes―look like? Is it achievable or even desirable? What roles can or should zoos play in encouraging humanity to find meaningful connections with wild animals and places?