When considering the role and function of contemporary zoological parks (zoos) in current and future society it may be relevant to look at zoos’ history. It all started with man’s enduring curiosity about the natural world and its inhabitants, wild exotic animals in particular. Besides domesticating and collecting wild animals, it also concerned the display of such animals - dead or alive - to the public. This resulted in the establishment of natural history museums and zoos, with a mission that included education, conservation and research, while maintaining a certain entertainment factor.
I consider myself a zoo enthusiast. Especially when considering parts of the mission of contemporary self-respecting zoos – supporting in-situ conservation with donations (zoo revenues) or in-kind efforts (local projects), and raising public awareness about endangered species via education. This is, in my opinion, where zoological parks can make a worthwhile contribution to nature conservation and biological diversity from a pragmatic and a scientific perspective.
Nonetheless this vital role that zoos can play in our society requires a further rethinking of their current existence and purpose. Not only because of the changing public attitudes towards animal welfare in zoological facilities, the degradation of natural habitats and rising number of endangered species, but also because more and more people become detached from nature due to urbanisation on a global level. Improvements of enclosures, animal treatment and care, animal displays and visitor’s information provision can all benefit from better and advanced knowledge. Careful rethinking how to better engage the public with the essentials of nature conservation and biological diversity is paramount to let them understand that healthy ecosystems, such as rainforests, oceans and local parks, are vital to help mankind adapt and survive. For instance advancing technological developments, such as virtual reality, can enhance the experience of the public - and help them engage with the essentials mentioned above - when visiting zoological institutions like natural history museums and zoos.
To support this rethinking the following two documentaries may be instrumental:
- The BBC-Horizon documentary ‘Should we close our zoos?’ that addresses and at the same time questions the role of modern zoos in our society.
- The documentary ‘Curiosity and Control’ by Albin Biblom that explores humanity’s complex relationship with Nature.
Should we close our zoos?
This BBC documentary addresses and at the same time questions the vital role zoos play in our society. It’s about the missing evidence when it comes to the success of educating zoo visitors. It’s about the limited success of zoo conservation programmes, and the false hope it provides. Science is not the magic cure for all the wrong we did to nature. Zoos need to change, but we have to change too! Our burden on the planet should decrease enormously to ensure the survival of mankind.
When animals cannot thrive in captivity, we shouldn’t keep them in zoos. When the lifespan of elephants in zoos is half of that of elephants in the wild there’s something wrong with the zoo environment. Same counts for the stereotype behaviour, such as pacing, shown by animals in zoos.
What about the surplus of animals that zoos produce to ensure a vital gene pool in the animals they keep in captivity. Is this acceptable? Zoos do not have the space to keep the surplus animals alive. So, they kill them and feed them to their predators. A common practice, but for many zoo visitors this is an appalling practice, so it is kept a secret. Nonetheless it happens on a large scale.
When zoos succeed in saving a species from going extinct and even reintroduce them in the wild, there’s a lack of suitable nature with thriving ecosystems to sustain the species and make reintroduction a success. Or in the well-documented case of the Californian condor the remnants of the ammunition hunters use cause lead poisoning of these scavenger birds.
The question is, are zoos willing to reappraise their fundamental role as zoological and conservation organisation? This requires a fundamental change in how zoos keep and present their animals, while at the same time educate its visitors about the essential role they play in the balance of nature.
An envisaged future for zoos includes less animals and less species kept on the premises in an appropriate climate. As a result people will not find all kind of species in one zoo, but they should choose which zoo they will visit based on which species they want to see and learn about. This might require long distance travel, which is an undesirable side effect as long as travel depends on fossil fuels. How to tackle this?
(Source of documentary: BBC – Horizon; Should we close our zoos?)
Curiosity and Control - Exploring Humanity’s Complex Relationship with Nature
Curiosity and Control is a thought-provoking documentary (2018) by Swedish director Albin Biblom that delves into humanity’s multifaceted relationship with the natural world. Through interviews with historians, architects, zoo directors, museologists, and other experts, the film takes viewers on a journey across Western museums of natural history and zoological gardens in cities such as New York, Chester, Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm. It examines the dualities of wonder and exploitation, curiosity and control, and the desire to both dominate and preserve nature. At its core, the film raises profound questions about how we perceive, interact with, and ultimately seek to protect the natural world.
The documentary explores the origins and evolution of natural history museums and zoos, institutions born out of humanity’s curiosity about the world and its inhabitants. These spaces have historically served as places of education, wonder, and reflection, but they also reflect a paradoxical impulse to control and contain what we fear losing. The film highlights the work of Carl Akeley, the legendary explorer and taxidermist often referred to as ‘the father of taxidermy’. Akeley’s iconic dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History in New York were designed to inspire awe and awareness about the natural world, much like modern zoos aim to connect people with nature. Yet, the film questions whether these institutions still serve their original purpose in an age where television and digital media have taken over as primary sources of information about biodiversity.
One of the central themes of Curiosity and Control is the tension between appreciation and dominion. The film follows the construction of ‘Islands’, an immersive exhibit at Chester Zoo in the UK designed to replicate the ecosystems of Southeast Asia. This project sparks discussions about the ethics of reconstructing nature and the motivations behind such efforts. Are these recreations meant to benefit nature itself, or are they primarily for human enjoyment and education? The film challenges viewers to consider whether zoos and museums still play a vital role in fostering environmental awareness or if they have become relics of a bygone era.
The documentary also addresses the ethical dilemmas surrounding zoos and natural history museums. Are these institutions born out of a genuine desire to understand and protect nature, or are they manifestations of humanity’s need to control and order the natural world? The film features voices from a diverse range of experts, including historians, authors, architects, and zoo managers, who offer nuanced perspectives on these questions. They explore the fine line between loving nature and possessing it, as encapsulated by the quote from David Hancocks: “There’s a fine line between loving something and possessing it.”
Curiosity and Control is not just a critique of humanity’s past and present interactions with nature; it also looks to the future. The film contemplates how our relationship with the natural world might evolve in the coming decades. Can we create more humane and ethical zoos? Should we continue to build them at all? And what drives us to seek connection with nature - is it curiosity, a sense of responsibility, or a deeper need to find our place within the natural order?
Through its rich tapestry of interviews, historical insights, and stunning visuals, the documentary offers a layered and thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s complex relationship with nature. It invites viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of the natural world and to consider how we might forge a more balanced and sustainable relationship with the environment in the years to come. Ultimately, the film serves as both a celebration of human curiosity and a cautionary tale about the dangers of overreach and control.
(Source: Curiosity and Control, a film by Albin Biblom)
