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A system wide approach to managing zoo collections for visitor attendance and in situ conservation

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Mooney

    (Trinity College Dublin
    Conservation Science Alliance)

  • Dalia A. Conde

    (Conservation Science Alliance
    University of Southern Denmark)

  • Kevin Healy

    (University of St Andrews
    National University of Ireland Galway)

  • Yvonne M. Buckley

    (Trinity College Dublin)

Abstract

Zoos contribute substantial resources to in situ conservation projects in natural habitats using revenue from visitor attendance, as well as other sources. We use a global dataset of over 450 zoos to develop a model of how zoo composition and socio-economic factors directly and indirectly influence visitor attendance and in situ project activity. We find that zoos with many animals, large animals, high species richness (particularly of mammals), and which are dissimilar to other zoos achieve higher numbers of visitors and contribute to more in situ conservation projects. However, the model strongly supports a trade-off between number of animals and body mass indicating that alternative composition strategies, such as having many small animals, may also be effective. The evidence-base presented here can be used to help guide collection planning processes and increase the in situ contributions from zoos, helping to reduce global biodiversity loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Mooney & Dalia A. Conde & Kevin Healy & Yvonne M. Buckley, 2020. "A system wide approach to managing zoo collections for visitor attendance and in situ conservation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14303-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14303-2
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