Goals of the modern zoo Conservation Research Education

Goals of the modern zoo • • Conservation Research Education Recreation These are the four main goals of the modern zoo, mentioned in mission statements and on news bulletins. Think about a zoo you have visited – did it fulfil these goals? Did you see species that are vulnerable or endangered in the wild? Are they part of an internationally managed breeding population? Did you see staff/students collecting data or signage describing research projects? Were there school groups visiting? Did you see families enjoying themselves while interacting with the animals? Start thinking about potential conflict between the goals…? Now think in terms of designing an enclosure with all four goals in mind.

How to achieve the goals of the modern zoo? Modern zoos have “naturalistic” enclosures e. g. immersion exhibits, and try to have species typical groupings. Hopefully this will lead to species typical behaviours – feeding, predator avoidance, social, etc. Why is this important?

Enrichment One way in which zoos can encourage species typical behaviour is using environmental enrichment. This may be: • Physical • Food based • Sensory • Social • Cognitive Here are five examples. Can you describe what is going on and why the behaviours are important for survival in the wild?

All of these species have been reintroduced into the wild – with varying degrees of success… How many can you name?

What is a painted dog? One of these, also known as an African hunting dog. Numbers are decreasing in the wild and their range is now restricted to parts of South and East Africa.

Not one of these! These are not painted dogs in the SCIENTIFIC sense!

Painted dogs (Lycaon pictus) are well known for: • co-operative hunting and communal care

Where do they live? • • Once widespread throughout Africa, numbers have dwindled and painted dogs are now only found in the areas shown. Think about why population isolation cause big problems for species in the wild?

How closely are they related to domestic dogs? The canid family tree, with some outgroups!

A few more facts Co-operative hunters Obligate carnivores Alpha male and female breed Unusual – males are highly related, so are females Dispersal? Threats – humans & prey availability Highly endangered

Now over to you: Design a painted dog enclosure