Zookeeping: An Introduction to the Science and Technology - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226925315 ISBN 13: 9780226925318

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2013

Synopsis

As species extinction, environmental protection, animal rights, and workplace safety issues come to the fore, zoos and aquariums need keepers who have the technical expertise and scientific knowledge to keep animals healthy, educate the public, and create regional, national, and global conservation and management communities. This textbook offers a comprehensive and practical overview of the profession geared toward new animal keepers and anyone who needs a foundational account of the topics most important to the day-to-day care of zoo and aquarium animals. The three editors, all experienced in zoo animal care and management, have put together a cohesive and broad-ranging book that tackles each of its subjects carefully and thoroughly. The contributions cover professional zookeeping, evolution of zoos, workplace safety, animal management, taxon-specific animal husbandry, animal behavior, veterinary care, public education and outreach, and conservation science. Using the newest techniques and research gathered from around the world, Zookeeping is a progressive textbook that seeks to promote consistency and the highest standards within global zoo and aquarium operations.   

About this title

About the Author:

Mark D. Irwin has worked in zoos as a keeper, curator, and veterinarian, and is now director of the zoo technology program at State University of New York–Jefferson Community College in Watertown, where he trains future zookeepers.  John B. Stoner has decades of experience in zoo animal care as a keeper and animal care manager at Toronto Zoo and has been an adjunct faculty member of Sheridan College in Brampton, Ontario,  where he taught exotic animal science. Aaron M. Cobaugh is an associate professor and coordinator of the animal management program at State University of New York–Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, where he teaches zoo-related courses that train future zookeepers, and is a former keeper himself.  

Review:

“Zookeeping: An Introduction to the Science and the Technology is a collaborative effort, with 73 contributing authors and 7 contributing artists, a diverse group of experts from varying backgrounds and regions of the world. . . . The comprehensive array of content covers every aspect of successfully running a modern zoo. Ostensibly a handbook for new zookeepers, this book is in fact a resource which will prove useful to even the most seasoned zoo professional. . . . By producing this wealth of information covering hundreds of best practices unique to the zoo field, Irwin [, et al. have] filled a huge void in our profession. It seems fair to say that the future of zookeeping will be greatly improved by Irwin [, et al.’s] work.” (Norah Farnham WAZA News)

“Excellent. . . . There are very few books dedicated to zookeeping and many of them are actually institutional manuals which often do not get circulated to other zoos, particularly zoos in other lands.” (Sally Walker ZOO’S PRINT: Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization)

“The editors set out to develop a comprehensive textbook to train new and aspiring professionals for work in zoos and aquaria, and they succeeded. . . . It not only covers care and husbandry issues in detail and breadth, but also goes far beyond science and technology in its detailed discussions of management, workplace professionalism, education, safety for animals and people, and the changing roles of zoos in society.” (Conservation Biology)

"This new book . . . will certainly become the reference 'bible' fo the zoo and aquarium professional." (Herpetological Review)

"An impressive list of contributing authors, representing much of the western knowledge of the role of a zookeeper. . . . . The range . . . has allowed the production of a work of clear value to the zookeeping world." (Animal Welfare)

“Zookeeping is destined to become the ‘must have’ comprehensive resource for the zoo industry. It offers an abundance of information and knowledge for the novice zookeeper and the seasoned veteran alike. From the history of zoos to animal welfare, training, husbandry, and beyond—to the future of the zoological institution—as we know it. Zookeeping coversit all, replacing dozens of single-subject books. The contributors are among the most respected and recognized zoo experts, and they include nearly every conceivable subject of interest to those in the field.”­ (International Congress of Zookeepers)

“Zoos and aquariums may vary in size and design, but what should always remain consistent is the quality of animal care.  Zookeeping will contribute greatly to the professional development of new animal care professionals by providing core information and best practices, helping to develop and enhance keeper knowledge at the entry level. Mark Irwin, his colleagues, and more than seventy contributors have made a great contribution to fundamental animal care. The American Association of Zoo Keepers is proud to include this volume as part of its standardized instruction for the professional development of animal care professionals.” (Bob Cisneros American Association of Zoo Keepers)

“Initially, Zookeeping was meant to be for zookeepers only. The final product, however, is probably the most comprehensive guide to what you should know about running a good zoo business ever published. Animals are at the center of this book: it is about their care and conservation. For that purpose, top experts from the zoo business provide insight into animal husbandry, diseases, behavior, taxonomy, the legal situation, conservation, and international cooperation—to name just a few subjects. All those issues make a modern zoo and help preserve biodiversity worldwide.” (Gerald Dick World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)

“One of the first books that has endeavored to embrace all relevant practical aspects for the benefit of anyone aspiring to become a modern zoo professional, right down to the first challenge of getting one’s foot in the door.” (Neil Bemment Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0226925315
• ISBN 13: 9780226925318
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 688
• Editor: Irwin Mark D., Stoner John B., Cobaugh Aaron M.