What would a zoo festival / expo look like..?
Most international professional communities have a programme of regular events whereby they come and physically display the latest most exciting developments in the appropriate field. ( as distinguished from a conference or symposium as interchanges solely of people and ideas) The art world has its Biennale, science promotes international science festivals, the film community get together and show films, etc.
Yet, despite the fact that our ‘product’ in one sense is actually a physical display, I don’t know that in any sense ( it could involve filmic, photographic or 3d representations rather than anything with live animals) the zoo world has done this. The botanic and horticultural sector, perhaps our nearest equivalent, does it of course all the time.
Is this because of understandable sensitivities around the movement of animals ( although as above this might not be required) or simply because we are not a big enough global industry – otherwise our suppliers would have already organised it for us – to sell us stuff!!
2 Responses to “What would a zoo festival / expo look like..?”
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The closest zookeepers and interested zoo personnel have is probably AZA or AAZK, neither of which to the best of my knowledge focus on what zoos could or should be in a practical way. I personally would love to have a readily available resource for checking on new products, developments and information to help improve our captive animals quality of life.
Yes, Mary.
Although I would suggest that the content of a zoo expo might look at all aspects of what a zoo exhibit might and should be, not just welfare. Although, welfare should of course be the sine qua non in all projects