American zoo, a sociological safari, David Grazian
Type
Label
American zoo, a sociological safari, David Grazian
Language
eng
Index
no index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
American zoo
Nature of contents
dictionaries
Responsibility statement
David Grazian
Sub title
a sociological safari
Summary
A close-up look at the contradictions and wonders of the modern zoo Orangutans swing from Kevlar-lined fire hoses. Giraffes feast on celebratory birthday cakes topped with carrots instead of candles. Hi-tech dinosaur robots growl among steel trees, while owls watch animated cartoons on old television sets. In American Zoo, sociologist David Grazian takes us on a safari through the contemporary zoo, alive with its many contradictions and strange wonders. Trading in his tweed jacket for a zoo uniform and a pair of muddy work boots, Grazian introduces us to zookeepers and animal rights activists, parents and toddlers, and the other human primates that make up the zoo's social world. He shows that in a major shift away from their unfortunate pasts, American zoos today emphasize naturalistic exhibits teeming with lush and immersive landscapes, breeding programs for endangered animals, and enrichment activities for their captive creatures. In doing so, zoos blur the imaginary boundaries we regularly use to separate culture from nature, humans from animals, and civilization from the wild. At the same time, zoos manage a wilderness of competing priorities-animal care, education, scientific research, and recreation-all while attempting to serve as centers for conservation in the wake of the current environmental and climate-change crisis. The world of the zoo reflects how we project our own prejudices and desires onto the animal kingdom, and invest nature with meaning and sentiment. A revealing portrayal of comic animals, delighted children, and feisty zookeepers, American Zoo is a remarkable close-up exploration of a classic cultural attraction
Target audience
adult
Classification
Creator
Genre
Subject
- Zoos -- United States -- Employees
- Wildlife conservation + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Zoo animals + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Zoos + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Electronic books
- Captive wild animals + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Animal welfare -- United States -- History -- 21st century
Content
Author
Is Derivative Of
Incoming Resources
- Has instance1
Outgoing Resources
- Classification1
- Creator1
- Genre1
- Subject7
- Zoos -- United States -- Employees
- Wildlife conservation + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Zoo animals + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Zoos + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Electronic books
- Captive wild animals + Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Animal welfare -- United States -- History -- 21st century
- Content1
- Author1
- Is Derivative Of1