Hey all I'll be attending University from September and I was thinking of expanding my "library" with regards to books about zoo practises. No doubt my university will provide a book list for me, but a few extra books never hurt anyway So far I have assembled a wish-list of: A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and Their Uncertain Future - David Hancocks Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation - Bryan G. Norton et al. Second Nature: Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals - Terry Maple et al. Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques - DG Kleiman Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare - Geoff Hosey et al. Zoos in the 21st Century: Catalysts for Conservation - Alexandra Zimmerman et al. What are people's opinions on these books? Are any "must-haves"? Also are there any other notable books which I should look out for?
Hi Jimmy. What course are you doing? These books will all add up so you might be better off waiting until you start to see what is recommended by your lecturers, and also what you can borrow from the University library. Wild animals in captivity, and Man and Animal in the zoo by Heini Hediger (prev director Zurich Zoo) were important books in their time although might be a little out of date these days. Good luck with the course.
I'm doing an Animal Management degree and I think a little extra background reading in my spare time will help me along. The total cost is also another reason for this thread, I want to find out which are the better books to own and i'll end up probably getting only 2. As I understand it, the book by Geoff Hosey is meant to be pretty good Thanks!
I think you should have Hediger whether or not he is recommended by your lecturers.Obviously some of it is out of date , but even this helps you understand the development of zoos to what they are today.I strongly recommend you to obtain books through ebay auctions.Some of the books you will be interested in are quite specialist and as such in little demand.You won´t have many bidding against you.I have at times bought real teasures for just a couple of euros / pounds / dollars on ebay (auction option).Just don´t get addicted as in that case it can be very expensive!Let us know if you find some book you think the rest of us should be reading.
My favourite book on this topic is “The Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity” by Lee S. Crandall (University of Chicago Press; 1964). Published 45 years ago it is, inevitably, dated so is probably not directly relevant to a modern university course on animal management. However, it is an excellent book and is essential reading for anybody interested in zoos. Good luck with your degree course.
