Scientific Foundations of Zoos and Aquariums: Their Role in Conservation and Research
Abstract
In the modern era, zoos and aquariums fight species extinction, educate communities, and advance learning of animal behaviour. This book features first person stories and scientific reviews to explore ground breaking projects run by these institutions. Large-scale conservation initiatives that benefit multiple species are detailed in the first section, including critical habitat protection, evidence-based techniques to grow animal populations and the design of community education projects. The second section documents how zoos use science to improve the health and welfare of animals in captivity and make difficult management decisions. The section on saving species includes personal tales of efforts to preserve wild populations through rehabilitation, captive breeding, reintroduction, and public outreach. The concluding section details scientific discoveries about animals that would have been impossible without the support of zoos and aquariums. The book is for animal scientists, zoo professionals, educators and researchers worldwide, as well as students of zookeeping and conservation.
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The zoo industry has demonstrated significant intensification of zoo-based welfare science.
“In recent years, the zoo industry has demonstrated significant intensification of zoo-based welfare science, with research being published on a wide range of topics [9,11].”
From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [11]
Providing choices empowers animals to meet their needs confidently.
“Providing choices empowers animals to meet their needs [8] confidently.”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [8]
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The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare
Sherwen, S. L., & Hemsworth, P. H. (2019) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani9060366 · Cited by 267 · see citing works
Brando, S. I. C. A., & Norman, M. (2023) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani13142247 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Maximizing the potential for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities
Mooney, A., Ryder, O. A., Houck, M. L., Staerk, J., Conde, D. A., & Buckley, Y. M. (2023) · Zoo Biology · doi:10.1002/zoo.21787 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Lawrence, K., Sherwen, S. L., & Larsen, H. (2021) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani11102979 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
An evaluation of the role of “biological evidence” in zoo and aquarium enrichment practices
Brereton, J., & Rose, P. (2022) · Animal Welfare · doi:10.7120/09627286.31.1.002 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Chen, D. M., & Mastromonaco, G. F. (2025) · Biopreservation and Biobanking · doi:10.1089/bio.2024.0151 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Individuals Matter: Dilemmas and Solutions in Conservation and Animal Welfare Practices in Zoos
Clay, A. S., & Visseren-Hamakers, I. J. (2022) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani12030398 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Diurnal and Nocturnal Behaviour of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and Lions (Panthera leo) in Zoos
Seyrling, I., Dierkes, P. W., & Burger, A. L. (2022) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani12182367 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Naturalistic Versus Unnaturalistic Environments
Warwick, C., & Steedman, C. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-86012-7_15 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The Role of Zoos and Aquariums in Contributing to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Moss, A., Vukelić, M., Walker, S. L., Smith, C., & Spooner, S. L. (2023) · Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens · doi:10.3390/jzbg4020033 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Browne, R. K., Luo, Q., Wang, P., Mansour, N., Kaurova, S. A., Gakhova, E. N., Shishova, N. V., Uteshev, V. K., Kramarova, L. I., Bolton, R. L., et al. (2024) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani14101455 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Science at the Zoo: An Introduction
Hochadel, O. (2022) · Centaurus · doi:10.1484/j.cnt.5.132186 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Brereton, J. E., Spooner, S. L., Walker, S. L., Mooney, A., Wilson, P., Mastromonaco, G. F., Hunter, E., & White, S. (2025) · Theriogenology Wild · doi:10.1016/j.therwi.2025.100119 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
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Loktionov, E. Y., Digby, R. A., Yakushev, N. N., Shepelev, I., Clements, J. P., Tomkovich, P. S., Jarrett, N. S., Clark, N. A., Green, R. E., Lappo, E. G., et al. (2023) · Diversity · doi:10.3390/d15040584 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Does Exposure to Animal Cognition Research Influence the Zoo Visitor Experience?
Perdue, B. M., & Robinson, B. (2021) · Animal Behavior and Cognition · doi:10.26451/abc.08.04.11.2021 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
By Bits and Pieces: The Contributions of Zoos and Aquariums to Science and Society via Biomaterials
Powell, D., Meyer, T. G., & Duncan, M. (2023) · Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens · doi:10.3390/jzbg4010023 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
From concept to action: Operationalising animal welfare strategies in zoos and aquaria
Partoon, J., Sherwen, S. L., Smith, M., Riley, L. M., & Whittaker, A. L. (2025) · Animal Welfare · doi:10.1017/awf.2025.10053 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Advancing Wildlife Conservation Through Biobanking in South America
Madelaire, C. B., Pereira, A. F., Sestelo, A., Bom-Conselho, A. P., Vaj, C., Mosalve, F. C., Souza, L. S. B., Tavares, M. R., Rodríguez, M. D., Restrepo, R. O., et al. (2025) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani15223261 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Feeling, Judging, and Connecting: Guardian Descriptions and Perceptions of Human-Cat Dyad Play
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Brando, S. I. C. A., Basom, L., Bashaw, M. J., Druyor, C., Fonte, E., & Thompson, R. K. R. (2021) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani11072070 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
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Role of Narratives in Driving Conservation Science
Molnár, Z. (2019) · Conservation Biology · doi:10.1111/cobi.13323
(2019) · Conservation Biology · doi:10.1111/cobi.13327
Bucci, M. E. (2019) · Journal of Wildlife Management · doi:10.1002/jwmg.21668
Books Received (October 2017–February 2019)
(2019) · Conservation Biology · doi:10.1111/cobi.13347
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Wild animals in zoos: A new paradigm is needed for zoos in the future
Kaumanns, W., Begum, N., & Singh, M. (2025) · Journal of Wildlife Science. · doi:10.63033/jwls.utkg1689
Taking stock: Can captive species contribute to biodiversity conservation?
Lennon, J. J., Pernetta, A. P., White, R. L., & Crooks, N. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0354602
- Venue
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Published
- 2018-12-21
- OpenAlex
- W4248746949
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 2.52
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Keywords
- zoos, aquariums, species conservation, captive breeding, reintroduction, rehabilitation, animal welfare, captive animal health, habitat conservation, community education, public outreach, animal behavior
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