Toronto Reference Library Blog

Last week, following a Zoocheck presentation at his school, my son wrote to officials at San Diego's Sea World imploring them to free Corky, a performing Orca. I was interested then to read in The Globe and Mail  that the Toronto Zoo board has decided to retire its elderly elephants and send them to a better equipped accredited Zoo, (Granby Zoo wants them), or if this cannot be found, an elephant sanctuary (Zoocheck's preference). This decision marks a significant turning point for the Toronto Zoo as it joins other zoos around the world in phasing out some live animal exhibits and replacing them with educational alternatives. But will it work?

 To find out about the history and future of zoos come into the Business, Science and Technology Department of the Toronto Reference Library. In A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and their Uncertain Future, David Hancocks, an Architect and Zoo Director for 30 years, argues that zoos must reinvent themselves as educational centres which situate animals within ecosystems and teach about biodiversity and conservation. Zoos should have a broad range of animals and focus on each animal's individual requirements rather than trying to maintain high-profile animals that are ill-suited to zoos, such as such as elephants and bears.

 In the United Kingdom the organization Wildscreen pioneered the use of interactive multimedia exhibits to teach about biodiversity and conservation.  Zoocheck's proposal for an Elephant Learning Centre at the Toronto Zoo is based on this type of interactive exhibit which could include live video feed of elephants in the wild, a conservation theatre, and the opportunity to send personal messages to elephants, (I know that would be a hit, based on Free Corky).

Some other titles of interest in the Business, Science and Technology Department include Life at the Zoo by Phillip Robinson, Zoo: a History of Zoological Gardens in the West, by Eric Baratay and The Modern Ark, the Story of Zoos, Past, Present and Future by Vicki Croke.

Last week, following a Zoocheck presentation at his school, my son wrote to officials at San Diego's Sea World imploring them to free Corky, a performing Orca. I was interested then to read in The Globe and Mail  that the Toronto Zoo board has decided to retire its elderly elephants and send them to a better equipped accredited Zoo, (Granby Zoo wants them), or if this cannot be found, an elephant sanctuary (Zoocheck's preference). This decision marks a significant turning point for the Toronto Zoo as it joins other zoos around the world in phasing out some live animal exhibits and replacing them with educational alternatives. But will it work?

 To find out about the history and future of zoos come into the Business, Science and Technology Department of the Toronto Reference Library. In A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and their Uncertain Future, David Hancocks, an Architect and Zoo Director for 30 years, argues that zoos must reinvent themselves as educational centres which situate animals within ecosystems and teach about biodiversity and conservation. Zoos should have a broad range of animals and focus on each animal's individual requirements rather than trying to maintain high-profile animals that are ill-suited to zoos, such as such as elephants and bears.

 In the United Kingdom the organization Wildscreen pioneered the use of interactive multimedia exhibits to teach about biodiversity and conservation.  Zoocheck's proposal for an Elephant Learning Centre at the Toronto Zoo is based on this type of interactive exhibit which could include live video feed of elephants in the wild, a conservation theatre, and the opportunity to send personal messages to elephants, (I know that would be a hit, based on Free Corky).

Some other titles of interest in the Business, Science and Technology Department include Life at the Zoo by Phillip Robinson, Zoo: a History of Zoological Gardens in the West, by Eric Baratay and The Modern Ark, the Story of Zoos, Past, Present and Future by Vicki Croke.