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What Are Zoos For? - (What Is It For?) by Heather Browning & Walter Veit (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- Are zoos an anachronism in the 21st century when we can watch animals in their natural habitat, close-up from our couches without worrying about cruelty?
- About the Author: Heather Browning is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Southampton, working on philosophical questions in animal welfare, sentience, and ethics.
- 156 Pages
- Nature, Animal Rights
- Series Name: What Is It For?
Description
Book Synopsis
Are zoos an anachronism in the 21st century when we can watch animals in their natural habitat, close-up from our couches without worrying about cruelty? Should they go the way of other bygone era 'spectacles' and 'attractions' that we now regard as barbaric? There are vocal campaigners and activists who believe so.
Heather Browning and Walter Veit disagree, but they acknowledge there is a case to be answered. In What are Zoos for? they test the common justifications for zoos (entertainment, education, research, conservation) against the evidence and suggest what the best zoos of the future should look like to ensure that they are primarily for animals and not just for people.
Review Quotes
"A thought-provoking exploration of the role of modern zoos and aquariums, which may challenge your preconceived ideas.." Jenny Gray AM, Zoos Victoria
"Clear, critical, persuasive and aspirational. This book beautifully describes what zoos could achieve if animal welfare was their primary goal." Georgia Mason, University of Guelph
"This book puts good animal wellbeing 24/7 across lifespan front and centre, reflecting what contemporary zoos today must be about." Sabrina Brando, AnimalConcepts
About the Author
Heather Browning is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Southampton, working on philosophical questions in animal welfare, sentience, and ethics. She previously worked as a zookeeper and zoo animal welfare officer in Australia and New Zealand.
Walter Veit is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Reading. His primary research interests lie in the intersection of the biological, social, and mind sciences and empirically informed philosophy and ethics.