No Zoo Museum Anywhere?

[Arizona Docent]

In reading the end of the book New Worlds, New Animals (edited by Hoage and Deiss,1996), I came across an interesting quote, which itself is taken from a 1969 book by Heini Hediger called Man and Animal in the Zoo.

...there is still not a single...museum (for zoos) anywhere in the world today...

Although both of these books are quite old, I believe the statement still holds true today. Am I wrong? Is there an independent museum devoted to zoos that anyone knows of? (By independent, I mean not inside the grounds of an actual zoo, but rather a stand alone museum building).

 

[Arizona Docent]

I know a lot of us on this forum (myself included) would love to start our own zoo, but are prohibited by lack of funds and experience and other resources. Starting a museum seems much more feasible. Still takes money, but the space required is much less (just a nice vacant building) and upkeep is much, much less (no animals to feed).

Not that I will likely do it, but I could totally see myself doing something like this. As soon as I read that sentence, my mind starting reeling...

 

[khakibob]

I todays politically correct world folks may not like to see what you find about the history of collections,zoo's & acclimitisation societies.

More ammunition for those who are anti zoo's.

Cheers Khakibob

 

[Arizona Docent]

Well your last statement may be true (more ammunition), but I think the general public would find it interesting. I mean a lot of museums deal with past wrongs (slavery, women as second class citizens, etc) and people understand that was in the past.

If anything, it would show how much improved zoos are today and how good the current quality of animal care is.

 

[gentle lemur]

It's been many years since I visited it, but I think that the Jardin des Plantes in Paris is the closest thing we have to a zoo museum.
Ideally, a zoo museum should have original cages, but no animals, as keeping animals in old-fashioned cages would be unacceptable to modern visitors. But obviously such a museum would have limited public appeal. However it is possible to renovate and modify cages to make them acceptable for alternative inhabitants (which is more or less the approach in Paris) or to keep one or two empty as educational exhibits (like the raven's cage on the Fellows Lawn at Regents Park) with appropriate signage, showing old illustrations etc.

Alan

 

[MRJ]

It's been many years since I visited it, but I think that the Jardin des Plantes in Paris is the closest thing we have to a zoo museum.

Alan

Having visited just last week I have to agree. The 1872 reptile house with original enclosures is just one of many examples. I'm hard pressed to think of one post WW2 enclosure (no there was one I remember).

Having said that I thought the husbandry exhibited was first class, and the zoo really concentrates on displaying smaller animals that can have enriched lives in their antiquated cages.

 

[Arizona Docent]

I wish they would turn Le Menagerie into a museum. I visited three years ago and just found it to be a small, substandard zoo. Plus virtually no mention of its important history - just one sign board outside the entrance. The potential here is great, but sadly unrealized.