Im a student about to begin my third year dissertation and am asking for help on some ideas. Im planning to look at conservation within zoos, look at the effectiveness of this ex situ conservation and maybe compare it with in situ conservation. Im writing this thread to ask for any and as many ideas for which I could focus my dissertation towards and how I would monitor and measure conservation effectiveness? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance, Stephen.
Dissertation ideas?
- Thread starter stw23490
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The problem I see is that the results will vary considerably from species to species. Some species are only bred in situ and some only ex situ. You will need to find a species which has done reasonably well in both situations to get enough data to compare, but I doubt if there will be a general pattern. You could probably get some data from studbooks, but the field data may be harder to find.
Alan
Alan
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
You might find it helpful to refine your approach.
What do you mean by
Further, focus on a zoo you can reach that has both in situ and ex situ programs and speak to the Program Directors. They are way ahead of you on thinking this through.
Besides, a close working connection with such programs will give you something to really delve into. You can expand your research to other zoos and programs as seems fit.
What do you mean by
. What defines effectiveness?
Further, focus on a zoo you can reach that has both in situ and ex situ programs and speak to the Program Directors. They are way ahead of you on thinking this through.
Besides, a close working connection with such programs will give you something to really delve into. You can expand your research to other zoos and programs as seems fit.
Thanks for the replies, I have thought of some ideas in which I could easily carry out in local zoos rather then travel far away.
How is conservation biology implemented in contemporary zoos and do they represent species natural environments allowing for natural behaviours?
How has conservation biology changed contemporary zoos? How is it implemented and is it effective?
Im just wondering for some ideas on how to go about answering these questions or similiar ideas.
By effective I mean looking at the methods the zoos employ which attempt to promote natural behaviours in the wild for example. Do they educate people effectively on conservation and endangered species? Are they only keeped endangered species or do they keep species who are not for the purpose of human viewing other then conservation? Do they give the correct diets? Any more ideas on which I could measure 'effectiveness' would be great.
Im interested in looking at primates and the larger mammals if this would narrow down and provide better results rather then looking at all captive species or would it be better to focus on just one specie.
Im only at my beginning stages and am really just hunting for as many possible suggestions and help to get me started. Thanks again.
How is conservation biology implemented in contemporary zoos and do they represent species natural environments allowing for natural behaviours?
How has conservation biology changed contemporary zoos? How is it implemented and is it effective?
Im just wondering for some ideas on how to go about answering these questions or similiar ideas.
By effective I mean looking at the methods the zoos employ which attempt to promote natural behaviours in the wild for example. Do they educate people effectively on conservation and endangered species? Are they only keeped endangered species or do they keep species who are not for the purpose of human viewing other then conservation? Do they give the correct diets? Any more ideas on which I could measure 'effectiveness' would be great.
Im interested in looking at primates and the larger mammals if this would narrow down and provide better results rather then looking at all captive species or would it be better to focus on just one specie.
Im only at my beginning stages and am really just hunting for as many possible suggestions and help to get me started. Thanks again.
I'm not in the UK so I probably can't help you too much at all, but when you use the terms "in situ", "ex situ", "conservation", "endangered species" and "effectiveness" in the one sentence the first zoo I think of is Jersey (Durrell) Zoo. That's not to say there aren't any other zoos with effective conservation programs in place, but I've been to Jersey Zoo (then the JWPT) and been following their work for decades.
I would also suggest you read "The Stationary Ark" by gerald durrell as it will give you a good insight into his views on conservation and how zoos should be run, and compare that to how zoos and conservation programs are run today.
Hix
I would also suggest you read "The Stationary Ark" by gerald durrell as it will give you a good insight into his views on conservation and how zoos should be run, and compare that to how zoos and conservation programs are run today.
Hix
oh dear.
All the things you're mentioning sound far too wide (though of course I realise you're still in the ideas stage).
What is your degree in? And what are the local zoos you're wanting to concentrate on?
Instead of just narrowing the number of animals I would probably narrow it down to one of the criteria you listed as "effective." Either look at enrichment, or education or diet, you can't possibly do all of them well. Maybe look on the BIAZA website for ideas - they give a lot of advice on zoo research. Also your supervisor at uni may be able to help you formulate a question that is more answerable.
All the things you're mentioning sound far too wide (though of course I realise you're still in the ideas stage).
What is your degree in? And what are the local zoos you're wanting to concentrate on?
Instead of just narrowing the number of animals I would probably narrow it down to one of the criteria you listed as "effective." Either look at enrichment, or education or diet, you can't possibly do all of them well. Maybe look on the BIAZA website for ideas - they give a lot of advice on zoo research. Also your supervisor at uni may be able to help you formulate a question that is more answerable.
I ajree with Hix. Read 'The Stationary Ark' its a great read and imformative. Also check out WAZA's and AZA's websites to try and find an animal with both in and ex situ projects.