What makes a good zoo?

Are the animals stimulated? 

 We recently shared our reasons for believing that zoos are crucial in the world today. However, it goes without saying that sadly, not all zoos are up to scratch, and for every zoo that does great conservation work and takes good care of the animals it has, there is usually another zoo which does not show animals the respect and care they deserve. The majority of people who go to a zoo want to know that whichever zoo they visit is a "good" zoo, that treats animals well and contributes to worthwhile conservation projects, but it can be hard to know what to look for in a "good" zoo. Here are a few pointers:

• Does the zoo operate as a charity? Many zoos in the UK and around world also work as charities. Well reputed examples of this are London and Whispsnade Zoos (Zoological Society of London), Howletts and Port Lympne (Aspinall Foundation) and Marwell. That's not to say a zoo which is not a charity does take good care of the animals it has, but before you visit, consider that your money (entrance fee, souvenirs, food and drink) might be put to better use visiting a zoo which does operate as a charity?
• Do they do conservation work? This is usually found out by a quick look-see at the zoo's website before you visit - they are usually keen (and rightly so) to shout about any conservation work that they do.
• Do they inform? A decent zoo should aim to educate the public about the animals on display, and their wild counterparts. This can be done through guidebooks, signs at enclosures, kids activities and public talks.
• Do they operate a green policy within the zoo? Are there recycling bins for example, encouraging the public to recycle their rubbish? Do products and foods that they sell come in environmentally friendly packaging? Do they charge for plastic bags to discourage use? 
• Do the animals seem content?  It's a sad fact that any animal kept in captivity is unlikely to ever have as much space to live in as it would in the wild, no matter how small the animal or how large the zoo. However, most zoo animals are born in captivity and become accustomed to their lives. But if an animal seems agitated, paces excessively or is completely inactive, it's a suggestion that the animal may not be content in its environment. Don't jump to conclusions though, the animal may be temporarily unwell or having an off day - but if this behaviour continues over a longer period of time without zookeepers attempting to intervene, then the animal may not be receiving the care it deserves.
• Do the animals have privacy? It can be frustrating to visit a zoo and find the lion is asleep and the tiger is nowhere to be seen, but the fact is that animals need their privacy, just as humans do. Enclosures should provide a good balance of "on show" and "off show" space, allowing animals to remove themselves from the public eye when they wish to, where appropriate.
• Are there animal shows? Note the difference between talks, where the public are told a little bit about the animals, and shows, where the animals are made to perform. No animal in captivity should be made to perform tricks for the public's entertainment, and any zoo that makes animals do so is to be questioned. Most zoos do train animals to do basic commands, such as stretching, lifting paws etc. This is done so that zookeepers and vets can check the health of the animal without having to get close or tranquilise it, particularly for dangerous animals such as big cats. Many zoos also hide the animals' food around enclosures, rather than handing it to them on a literal or metaphorical plate. This is often known as 'enrichment' and is to aid psychological stimulation and recreate the skills and behaviours that animals would have to use to scavenge their food in the wild.

Of course, these are just a few basic pointers for anyone unsure about visiting a zoo. If in doubt, approach the zoo and ask them - if they have nothing to hide, they will be happy to liaise with the public, and should be happy that people care enough about animals to ask.

Further resources can be found here:

EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) has a stringent policy which all institutions must adhere to in order to retain membership. A full list of EAZA members can be seen here.