ETHICS on the ARK (Zoo & Aquarium Biology & Conservation) [Paperback]

Bryan G. Norton (Editor), Michael Hutchins (Editor), Elizabeth F. Stevens (Editor), Terry L. Maple (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 1996

Ethics on the Ark presents a passionate, multivocal discussion—among zoo professionals, activists, conservation biologists, and philosophers—about the future of zoos and aquariums, the treatment of animals in captivity, and the question of whether the individual, the species, or the ecosystem is the most important focus in conservation efforts. Contributors represent all sides of the issues. Moving from the fundamental to the practical, from biodiversity to population regulation, from animal research to captive breeding, Ethics on the Ark represents an important gathering of the many fervent and contentious viewpoints shaping the wildlife conservation debate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Splendidly thought-provoking . . . The writers for Ethics on the Ark grapple seriously and intelligently with . . . the very real conflicts that lie between those who are, to be simplistic and heuristic, for zoos and those who are against. In turn, looming over the debate, hang the huge questions of our duties to animals and of the disappearance of the natural world.”—Boston Book Review

“This book is a most important contribution to animal welfare and should be read by zoo professionals, conservationists involved with captive breeding, those concerned with the ethical justifiability of zoos, animal welfarists, and anyone with an interest in the role and future of zoos.”—Zoo Biology

“This collection of essays successfully integrates the voices of zoo professionals, activists, conservation biologists, and philosophers and admirably balances a wide range of pro and con perspectives on the future of captive breeding.”—American Scientist

“This is the freshest look yet at the interwoven issues of animal conservation, welfare, and rights facing the North American and, indeed, global zoo community today.”—Lee Durrell, Honorary Director, Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust

“Ethics on the Ark is a wake-up call: a mandatory text for anyone concerned with environmental preservation, species diversity, and the humane treatment of individual animals in zoos.”—Michael E. Kaufmann, American Humane Association

About the Author

Bryan G. Norton, professor of environmental public policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is the author of Toward Unity Among Environmentalists (1991) and Why Preserve Natural Variety? (1987) and editor of The Preservation of Species (1986). Michael Hutchins is director of conservation and science for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and adjunct professor in the graduate program in sustainable development and conservation biology at the University of Maryland. Elizabeth F. Stevens is conservation and science director for Walt Disney World Animal Programs. Terry L. Maple is president and chief executive officer of Zoo Atlanta/Fulton County Zoo, Inc., and director of Zoo Atlanta.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (July 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560986891
• ISBN-13: 978-1560986898
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Animal Rights

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good material on history and future of zoos, June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ETHICS on the ARK (Zoo & Aquarium Biology & Conservation) (Paperback)

This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history and future of zoos and animal parks, as well as offering an assessment of present day facilities. Pro and con essays on a variety of topics related to zoo management, aquisition of animals and captive breeding provide both sides of the controversial issue of maintaining animals in captivity. Slight bias toward the view of zoos as the only viable future situation for wildlife but still offers critical analysis of

issues involved.

1.0 out of 5 stars wrong book under the cover, April 10, 2011

By 

Anon - See all my reviews

This review is from: ETHICS on the ARK (Zoo & Aquarium Biology & Conservation) (Paperback)

I wish I could say what I think of Ethics on the Ark, but due to some strange error, all I have of that book is the cover. Underneath the cover is some other book--some drivel about communes and utopia. That's right, I have the cover for Ethics on the Ark attached to the pages for Commitment and Community. Very disappointing. I wish I could get it exchanged, but this book was purchased for me from my wish list a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if I can contact the publisher to get this fixed?

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little one sided, April 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: ETHICS on the ARK (Zoo & Aquarium Biology & Conservation) (Paperback)

I wanted a book that discussed the ethics behind captive animals, however this book was decidedly one sided. While I generally agree with animal rights ethics, I wanted to learn more about the reasons TO keep animals captive, and this book did not furnish that side. In fact, I felt most of the submitting authors displayed a hostile tendancy. It is a decent book on the history of zoos, as long as you're only interested in seeing this subject from one perspective. It left me feeling defensive.