Zoos shift their paradigms towards conservation

Abstract

The traditional role and image of zoos has substantially changed during the last few decades. In the first stage of the history of modem zoos the main goal was leisure attraction linked to scientific goals such as studying systematics, ethology, physiology as well as acclimatisation of exotic animals. Conservation o f endangered animal species became an increasingly important objective in the 20th century zoos and the survival of numerous species was made possible only by captive breeding. This paper reviews several examples and the results of these activities, then gives an introduction into the conservation activities of leading contemporary zoos. These conservation activities now include conservation breeding and rescue of important specimens of protected species as well as awareness raising in the wide public for the protection of nature and, as a newest trend, the participation in the conservation of wildlife habitats. The expectable result of this trend is that some hundreds of the top zoos of the world organise themselves into one of the largest and most important conservation network of the world, which becomes an essential professional and financial donor of conservation projects all around the world. The paper gives specific international and Hungarian examples and analyses trends of this process.