Wild Animals in Captivity: An Outline of the Biology of Zoological Gardens1964

by Heini Hediger, Geoffrey Sircom (Translator)

Drawing from his observations at zoological gardens, the author reports on the problems of animals held in captivity and explores their relationship with man

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

207 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1950

Reviews

[Rachel E. Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoos were made for our comfort, not for animals’. So I was shocked by how progressive this early text of zoo science read in its appeal to zoologists to shed their human-centric assumptions and inhabit the mind of animals. “Anthropomorphic conceptions must be abandoned,” the author writes. “We must put ourselves into the animal’s position as far as possible and foresee its needs.” (My favorite example: To feel at home, a slow loris must first be presented with a thick carpet of peat. Then, he must be allowed to pee all over it until his floors are saturated with familiarity; the scent, while disgusting to us, puts him at ease.) Hediger clearly cares for animals very much, and has devoted much of his life to observing them both in the wild and in captivity. I was struck by his observation that the idea of the wild animal in freedom is deceptive; in reality, all animals are bound by myriad invisible limitations, kept within a narrow range of territory and behavior. A few passages, though, concerned me. One was the argument that very small amount of space is often sufficient for a captive animal (a point Hediger makes to show that quality of territory often outweighs quantity). Another was the bizarre claim that the zookeeper has an ultimate mathematical “proof” that an animal is doing well: success in breeding. "If breeding does occur, it is a guarantee that conditions are essentially right,” he writes. My worry here is that these statements, while well-intentioned, could easily be oversimplified, taken out of context, and used to justify inadequate treatment of animals.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential book. I read it after finding reference to Hediger as the "father of zoo biology."

Far, far ahead of its time, this book clearly outlines the responsibility and potential of zoos. Hediger makes a stunningly concise, logical, and inarguable case for treating animals with respect by treating them according to their own biology and psychology - this includes letting go of our anthropocentric ideas about freedom, the wild as a paradise, and what we think animals need (in terms of space, food, companionship, etc) as compared to what they actually need.

Written in 1950, this book remains highly relevant today to professionals in zoos, to members of the public interested in the theory and practices behind zoos, and to those who would admonish or condemn zoos. Many of the concepts Hediger insists upon have only been recently realized or come to full fruition, which furthers the necessity of reviewing his thoughts as they can continue to inform our modern understanding of and approach to zoos. Some points have been superseded by research and understandings which have been gained in the meantime, but the majority of his commentary and exploration of zoos and animal psychology remains fundamentally relevant and important.

Hediger also shows the importance of zoos as they relate to human psychology, and the responsibility they have to inform, educate, and inspire the public. He also touches on the contributions zoos can make to science, culture, and wild animal populations, which we have expanded upon greatly in massive times. But his reminder that we must educate the public on these actions, as they are often unknown or underappreciated, is much needed.

Overall, an invaluable book.

[David P. Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this at a used book store for 95 cents and enjoyed reading the many factoids, old terms and views dated to the 1930’s and 40’s. Learning older views about zoos it is fascinating to consider changes in science and society in 70 years. Likely would have been a 4 or 5 star had I read it in 1950 and although it was a bit of slog it was worth every penny :)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hediger is cited by virtually every book on zoos and exotic animal care, so I figured it was about time to start reading some of this original groundbreaking work. I didn't expect much applicable from a 60 year old zoo book.

Wow. Hediger was so ahead of his time it is absolutely frightening that all this was being said 60 years ago and it was only in the last decade or so that much of it really came into standard implementation. He emphasizes researching an animal's natural space-time pattern and using it as the basis for all aspects of husbandry. He spends a great deal of time analyzing space requirements and usage by animals in the wild (emphasis placed on how wild animals are far from "free" in the wild) and how this is essential to exhibit and enclosure design. While giving a nod to the standard nutrition points, he places an interesting emphasis on the social aspects of feeding, which I have not seen done often. In general, there is a focus throughout the book on animal psychology and why it is essential to understand it in addition to biological and physiological needs.

Hediger touches on nearly every aspect of exotic animal management, including exhibit design (accounting for flight distance and promoting naturalistic exhibits), nutrition (get away from dangerous anthropomorphisms), the importance of enrichment, and the value of husbandry behavior training (stating that not providing for thorough training is as inexcusable as not providing sufficient food). There are even sections on dealing with problems with the public and on designing good signage.

While there is certainly a fair bit of dated information (references to "for the good of the species" adaptations, specific materials and research cited, noting that gorillas and cheetahs do not reproduce in captivity, etc.), this is still an exceptional introduction to zookeeping. I highly recommend this to anyone in or considering the exotic animal care field.

[Geordie · Rating 3 out of 5]

PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS BOOK if you prefer to naively wallow in the unsophisticated and superficial pop belief that animals should not ever be in captivity and would be much happier and more carefree scampering prettily across the sun-drenched veldt, and especially DO NOT READ THIS BOOK if you do not wish to shed yourself of a host of unfounded and unhealthy cultural prejudices imposed on you from a childhood steeped in nonscientific misinformation on the real effect of evolutionary processes and environmental pressures on biological organisms, and particularly DO NOT READ THIS BOOK if you are "against" zoos simply because you have not taken any actual time to carefully think past the fantasy world presented to you of poorly explained environmentalist hogwash sourced primarily from Dr. Suess books, bumpersticker philosophies, and the screenplay for "Born Free", but IF instead you have perhaps thought even only for a moment that real animals in the wild might themselves be prisoners of space and time, and that maybe actual research studies of animals in zoos might generate some insight as to whether life in captivity has benefits as well as detriments, then okay READ THIS BOOK. Then go to the zoo and see a) if all the animals in the zoo are jumping up and down for you, the elephant and the kangaroo, the lion and the monkey too, and b) if the restriction of freedom of movement is really the most important factor in captivity or if there are secondary results of the diminuition of space that play a far greater role in the physical and psychological health of exotics. Then have a snack you have got to be famished after all that - might I suggest a Ho-Ho?

[Heather Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hediger was one of the first to argue for the use of biology in the husbandry of zoo animals, and for this reason is worth reading. Although some of the science he uses in this book has been superseded, much of it is still relevant and his underlying message of looking at what animals might actually need, rather than our own perception of what we think they need, is something all zookeepers should understand. He also argues for aiming for the best, rather than the minimum, standard of welfare, which is something we are still yet to find in many animal husbandry disciplines.