Life Sciences Commons^™

Smart Stimulation: Zoo Conservation For 21st Century Zoos, Lauren Retallack

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

According to a 1992 survey, "an estimated 102 million people, more than attend professional football, baseball, and basketball games combined, visit 162 accredited North American zoos and aquariums each year" (2). People frequent zoos for a variety of reasons, from entertaining children for a few hours, to learning about the wildlife which inhabits their region and foreign places. Regardless of intent, once at the zoo, visitors are presented with a unique opportunity to learn about conservation and the plights of endangered species. It is the job of zoo directors, keepers, staff, and volunteers to get people thinking about conservation while …