Decolonization and the Zoo

As our zoos and aquariums reopen during the COVID-19 crisis, they are finding themselves in a somewhat different world than the one they shut their gates on a few months ago.  A large part of that has been due to the disease itself and its impacts on society.  Another significant change was the killing of George Floyd, which has refocused attention on race issues.

Changes have been made in several aspects of American life since then, from the toppling of Confederate memorials to the retirement of the “Aunt Jemima” mascot.  It’s worth pausing to see how these changes may impact zoos – because they do.

Zoos (to a lesser extent aquariums) have a history that is steeped in colonialism.  Before there were even formal zoos, colonial powers sent back exotic animals from their overseas territories back home for the entertainment and education of the populace.  In many ways, these animals served as living trophies of the power of the colonizer.  When the citizens of Belgium saw okapi in the Antwerp Zoo, they were reminded that their tiny little country ruled a sprawling empire in the Congo larger than most European countries.

Zoos weren’t alone in collecting and displaying foreign trophies.  So did botanical gardens and museums.  The “specimens” brought back weren’t always animals, plants, or artifacts, either.  They also included people (evidence: Ota Benga at the Bronx Zoo, CarlHagenbeck’s popular “Ethnographic Exhibitions”). 

Even if people aren’t themselves on display in zoos, we haven’t always done the best job of showing sensitivity to foreign cultures.  “African” tribal architecture (as if that were one thing) is often used in exhibits, often without much real thought towards accuracy or logic.  Sometimes educational messaging goes awry in the minds of the public, leaving them with the impression that “bad” Africans and Asians are poaching and destroying all of the wildlife recklessly – and that things might be better off for the animals if someone else was overseeing conservation efforts and enforcement in those countries.

Zoo history is full of awkward moments, some of which can be uncomfortable (even cringe-worthy) to look at from a 21^st century perspective.   None of which is to say that we should scrap zoos or stop the important work that they do for conservation.  It’s just that there are a few ways that we can do better.  They include:

·      Being careful about incorporating indigenous cultures into exhibits.  Done properly, it can be a great technique for offering an integrated understanding on how people and animals co-exist and provide a holistic educational experience.  Done poorly, it can leave people with the impression that Africans live in huts swarming with monkeys.  When cultures are incorporated into exhibits, they should be depicted accurately and respectfully, preferably with consultation from representatives of that culture.  If in doubt – don’t do it.

·         Highlight and support indigenous conservation efforts.  Many zoos and aquariums partner with in situ conservation partners to save species in their natural habitats.  Provide signage to prominently depict their efforts and help lobby support.  Remind visitors that conservation isn’t just the purview of WWF, WCS, and other large, western-based organizations.  It’s also being carried out, in many cases led, by people on the ground who live in those countries

·         Be mindful of language – the concept of “discovery” is a great example.  Sure, the okapi was “discovered” in the early 1900s – but only in the sense that it was previously unknown to Europeans.  Before that, it had been known to the inhabitants of the Ituri Forest for millennia.

·         Don’t oversimplify conservation messaging.  For example, rhinos are being poached in Africa, and yes, most of the people doing the shooting are Africans.  Don’t let the story end there.  Educate visitors about how economic hardships and overseas demand drive the market for rhino horns (at the same time, be mindful of feeding racist stereotypes about cultures that use endangered animals for food or medicinal purposes – especially the Chinese)

·         Find ways to give back.  Look into selling fair-trade products from range countries in your gift shops.  Contribute to conservation scholarships for African, Asian, or Latin American biologists to receive training abroad – maybe even host one at your zoo for a visit.  It can be a great two-way learning street – they can also deliver lectures/presentations for staff and guests about conservation efforts on the ground.

I don’t think people like Hagenbeck, or William T. Hornaday, or other zoo professionals of their era were necessarily bad people for managing zoos the way they did over 100 years ago.  I hope that futures generations won’t look at the way I do my job and think too poorly of me for not doing it the way they do.  But, as Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, do better.”  We constantly strive to do better by our animals.  Let’s broaden our goal of whom we apply that philosophy to.