Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session IV
People Expect
n Healthy animals
n Easy to see
n Appropriate settings
n Good information
n Safety
Visitor Reception
n Meet their needs
n Allow them to move freely by following signage
n Welcome feeling
n Little fun
n Listen patiently
n Learn new things
n Allow visitors to exercise own choice, interest, own masters, own control
Zoo Research
n Zoo research is basically systematic collection, collation and analysis of
biological data from animals and habitat.
n Zoo permits non invasive and non manipulative research.
n Whether zoo research has aided conservation of the threatened species or it
is mainstream academic research.
n UK study shows 15 subjects are popularly researched - Beh-40%, Env Enr-
18%, Repro-8%, Genetics-Ecology-Conservation-5%.
n Nutrition and behaviour are relevant but should focus on linking ex-situ, insitu
conservation.
n Reproduction relevant only for threatened species.
n Findings of zoo research are of not much value as it is conducted in unnatural
conditions with small samples.
n Recent trends - emphasis on repro studies, nutrition and growth, behaviour
and enrichment.
n Field conservation oriented topics are little researched, example: Eco and
Bio conservation and reintroduction, taxonomics, genetics and biology.
n Zoos not capable of building research facilities and employ full-time
researcher.
n Must collaborate with research universities and organisations.
220