Evaluating the Conservation Mission of Zoos, Aquariums, Botanical Gardens, and Natural History Museums

Abstract:  Collection-based institutions—zoos, aquariums, museums, and botanical gardens—exhibit wildlife and thus have a special connection with nature. Many of these institutions emphasize a mission of conservation, and, undeniably, they do contribute directly to conservation education and conservation science. They present an exceptional opportunity for many urban residents to see the wonders of life, and they can contribute to education and habitat preservation. Because many collection-based institutions now hold a stated mission of conservation, we suggest eight potential questions to evaluate actions toward that mission: (1) Does conservation thought define policy decisions? (2) Is there sufficient organizational funding for conservation activities? (3) Is there a functional conservation department? (4) Does the institution advocate for conservation? (5) Do conservation education programs effectively target children and adults? (6) Does the institution contribute directly to habitat protection locally and internationally? (7) Do exhibits explain and promote conservation efforts? and (8) Do internal policies and activities protect the environment? These questions are offered as a place to begin discussion. We hope they will help employees and administrators of a collection-based institution (and citizens of the surrounding community) think about and support their institution's conservation activities. Public support and praise for institutions that are striving toward solutions for conservation problems and pressure on organizations that are moving more slowly toward a conservation orientation can help shift more resources toward saving nature.     

中国动物园圈养丹顶鹤的数量和分布格局

通过电话咨询、实地调查和网络检索的方法调查了141个城市动物园、园中园和野生动物园的丹顶鹤圈养情况,以明确我国动物园圈养丹顶鹤的种群数量和分布格局。结果表明,141个动物园中,83个(58.9%)动物园有数量不等的圈养丹顶鹤(1~175只),总数达到917只;其中城市动物园319只,园中园82只,野生动物园516只。不同地区的不同动物园圈养丹顶鹤分布有明显差异。单因素方差分析表明野生动物园丹顶鹤数量显著大于园中园(P0.05)。圈养丹顶鹤最多的3个省级行政区分别为辽宁省、广东省和黑龙江省;圈养丹顶鹤数量最多的前10个省级行政区共圈养丹顶鹤719只,占中国动物园圈养丹顶鹤总数的78.4%。圈养丹顶鹤最多的3个地理区域分别为东北地区、华东地区和华北地区,占我国动物园圈养丹顶鹤总数的74.3%。     

Book reviews

ACID RAIN, A REVIEW OF THE PHENOMENON IN THE EEC AND EUROPE, by Environmental Resources Limited for the Commission of the European Communities, 159 pages (including a summary, an introduction, findings and conclusions and 13 pages with newest references), 24 figures and 14 tables, stiff paper cover, format 302×212 mm, EUR 8684, ISBN 0 86010 501 6, Graham & Trotman Limited, Sterling House, 66 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE, U.K. (1983), £12.50.

STONE DECAY AND CONSERVATION, Atmospheric Pollution, Cleaning, Consolidation and Protection, MATERIAL SCIENCE MONOGRAPHS 11, by Giovanni G. Amoroso and Vasco Fassina, 453 pages (including 301 figures, 72 tables, and a subject index of five pages; references are added to each of the five parts), linen, format 249×174 mm, ISBN 0 444 42146 7, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam and New York (1983) USS 97.75 or Dfl. 230.‐ or SFr. 170.‐

WEATHERING OF POLYMERS, by Anthony Davies and David Sims, Waltham Abbey, Essex, U.K., 294 pages (including 96 figures, 62 tables, an index of 6 pages; and references (mostly from 1972 to 1979, a few newer ones) added to each chapter), linen, format 230×149 mm, ISBN 0 85334 226 1, Applied Science Publishers, London and New York (1983), £35, (plus £1.75 post/packing).     

Book review

METAL TOXICITY IN MAMMALS by Thomas D. Luckey and B. Venugopal, Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Research Priorities for Conservation Biology. Soulé, M. E., and Kohm, K.A., editors. 1989.
Evaluation of Biodiversity Projects. Committee on Criteria and Guidelines for the Evaluation of Projects Designed to Protect or Enhance Biodiversity. 1989.
The Ecology of Australia's Wet Tropics. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia. Volume 15. Kitching, R.L., editor 1988.
Stones of Silence: Journeys in the Himalaya. Schaller, G. B.
Tiger Moon. Sunquist, F., and Sunquist, M. 1988.
The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States. Benyus, J. M. 1989.
The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Western United States. Benyus, J. M. 1989.
Books Received (September 1988-August 1989) (Some of the books in the list below may be reviewed in future issues.)     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Cultural Norms, War and the Environment. Westing, A. H., editor. 1988.
Environmental Warfare: A Technical, Legal and Policy Appraisal. Westing, A. H., editor. 1984.
Herbicides in War: The Longterm Ecological and Human Consequences. Westing, A. H., editor. 1984.
Explosive Remnants of War: Mitigating the Environmental Effects. Westing, A.H., editor. 1985.
Global Resources and International Conflict: Environmental Factors in Strategic Policy and Action. Westing, A. H., editor. 1986.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Agro-Ecology and Conservation: A Developing Relationship To Feed the Earth: Ago-Ecology for Sustainable Development. Michael Dover and Lee M. Talbot. 1987.
Evaluating Conservation Criteria Wildlife Conservation Evaluation. Usher, M. B., ed. 1986.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
A Morally Deep World: An Essay on Moral Significance and Environmental Ethics. Johnson, L. E.
Discordant Harmonies. Botkin, D. B.
The Preservation and Valuation of Biological Resources. Orians, G. H., Brown, G. M., Kunin, W. E., and Swierzbinski, J. E., editors.
Seabirds of Hawaii: Natural History and Conservation. Harrison, C. S.
Neotropical Wildlife Use and Conservation. Robinson, J.G., and Redford, K. H., editors.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Preservation of Species: The Value of Biological Diversity. Norton, Bryan G., ed. 1986.
Conservation of Tidal Marshes. Daiber, F.C. 1986.
The Last Extinction. Kaufman, L.; Mallory, K., eds. 1986.
Biology. Raven, P.H.; Johnson, G.B. 1986.     

Book review

Environmental Management, (3 Volumes) Editors B. Nath, L. Hens and D. Devuyst (Brussels, Vubpress: 1993. Approx. 890 Pp. Paperback) (£25 Per Volume) Isbn 90 5487 035 4-6

The Chemistry and Deposition of Nitrogen Species in the Troposphere, Editor A. T. Cocks, Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry, 1993, X + 134pp., Isbn 0 85186 355 8, Price £35.00.