Zoos have yet to unveil their full conservation potential

摘要

Zoos and aquariums that are part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums reach over 700 million visitors every year. These institutions are also among the main global providers of conservation funding, investing more than US$ 350 million on ex situ and in situ wildlife activities annually (Gusset & Dick, 2011). But, even though these institutions regularly champion species and habitat protection causes, exhibiting and breeding wild animals in human care are still their main commercial and conservation-related activities.