Many members of the zoo community have followed the
recent events at the Toronto Zoo with great concern. The antics of the
animal rights activists have been documented and described in great detail by
the group known as Zoos
Matter, and do not need to be rehashed here. Every zoo professional
will have their own reaction to the elephant issue as it played out in Toronto,
from anger and disgust (the reaction I’ve seen the most of) to denial (“It
could never happen here!”) to indifference (“doesn’t apply to me…”).
After thinking about it in some depth, I’ve settled upon my own course of action. It takes the form of a new philosophy, summed up in two words: Beyond Reproach.
After thinking about it in some depth, I’ve settled upon my own course of action. It takes the form of a new philosophy, summed up in two words: Beyond Reproach.
Now, I am in no way suggesting that the keepers of
the Toronto Zoo were in any way responsible for the misfortune that has
befallen them, that they themselves were not “beyond reproach.” Instead,
I am saying that this is a reminder that there are those forces outside of our
institutions who do not wish us well. There are people – some with a feeling
of guilt, some without such moral qualms – who like reading bad news about zoos and aquariums. When an
animal dies (as all animals, zoo or wild, must), when an escape occurs, or when
a keeper is injured or even
killed, they take some satisfaction in it, seeing their feelings about zoos
validated. When positive news happens – the birth of an animal, the
opening of a new exhibit that improves the quality of life for animals – they
are quick to put a negative spin on it. They are a small but vocal group,
and nothing we do will make them happy.
Knowing that there are people waiting to lay traps
for us is the first step towards avoiding them. We need to be proactive
and give anti-zoo activists as little ammunition as possible. The way to
do this is to carry out our duties in a manner that is beyond reproach.
This extends up and down the chain of command, from the director to the
curators to the keepers, aquarists, educators, horticulturalists, and everyone
else who is a part of the zoo’s mission. Upper-level management, not
surprisingly, has the potential to make the most dramatic, high-profile
impact. Build exhibits that aren’t going to be considered “good” for a
few years; build habitats that will stand the test of time and be considered
ideal for the foreseeable future. Plan your collection wisely – if you can’t
commit to a species and its needs, it would be better not to have it.
Involve your institution in as much conservation, education, and research as
possible. Don’t just give your zoo or aquarium a mission statement, give
it a mission.
That also means getting involved at the local level. Practice what you preach and follow green practices: recycle, compast, reduce waste! If you have a Halloween event, strive to be palm oil free; if you serve seafood, try to do so sustainably (better yet, make sure to include vegetarian options on your menus!). Become an asset to your community, reaching out and integrating yourself with as many like-minded organizations as possible, such as museums and parks. Don’t just make your institution available for field trips; integrate yourself into school curriculum (including higher education!). Be the local wildlife experts, the ones that folks can come to with questions. Build bridges with your Department of Natural Resources. Get to know your community and civic leaders, and make sure they know you. The Toronto Zoo incident was brought about in large part by local politicians throwing the zoo and its staff under the bus. Make sure your mayor, county commissioner, city council, governor, et al know your institution and understand its importance to your community.
While it is easy for the folks on the front-lines
to quip about how leadership is or isn’t doing its job, there is plenty that
the keepers themselves can do to protect their institutions from attacks from
the anti-zoo crowd. The first part doesn’t involve too much in the way of
change, since many keepers are already committed to it: provide the best possible
care for the animals. Don’t just feed and clean. You may not be
able to help it if your zoo has a lousy exhibit or two – most do – but you can
provide awesome furniture and enrichment to make up for it. Use
training, where appropriate and possible (and you may be surprised
at where it proves possible). Keep your eyes and wits focused on the
animals at all times – you may spot little problems and prevent them from
turning into big ones. If you see things that are wrong or could be
improved, work to change them (within the system, in a constructive
manner). Always, always, ALWAYS look for ways to do better.
Once you've done your daily duties to the best of
your ability, go beyond them! Get involved in the greater zoo and
conservation communities. Attend some professional development courses,
if you can, and share what you learn. Join some list-serves or
committees. Become a studbook keeper or program manager (seriously, we
should set a goal of zero vacancies). If you've been in the profession
for a while, mentor a new employee. If you are a studbook keeper, committee
chair, or other leader in the field, find ways to encourage involvement with
other zoo professionals. The more people
working together, the more we can accomplish.
The harder part, for many zookeepers, will be the
second part: engaging the public. Too many keepers make the trite crack
(I’ve made it before too!) that they work in a zoo so they don’t have to deal with people. The
support of the public, the money that comes in through the turnstile, is
assumed, a given. That is a dangerous assumption that we can no longer
make. The anti-zoo crowd, while vocal, is a relatively small one, and
they know it. Their goal is to change the minds of people who would
otherwise support the zoo. While many people love and support zoos and
aquariums, many more are indifferent – maybe folks who haven’t been to the zoo
for years, or who do go, but see it as an interchangeable entertainment option
– deciding between either the zoo or the theme park or the movies for an
outing.
Some folks will never be happy with what we do, and
we never may win them over. To the rest of the world, however, zoos and
aquariums can be teachers, leaders, and partners in the global conservation
movement. To accomplish this, however, we need to make sure that we
are doing our own jobs to the best of our abilities. We need to be beyond
reproach.
Thank you for writing this! Well said.
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