View From A Zoo

Charlotte Corney is director of the Isle of Wight Zoo. The attraction has a strong focus on providing homes to rescued big cats, and is currently being converted into a charity. She argues that zoos have a vital role to play in conservation

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The time is ripe for a revolution. Humans have been keeping animals in zoos since 1752 (the Tiergarten Schönbrunn zoo in Vienna), and in private menageries since Egyptian times. Since then we’ve made huge leaps forward in our scientific understanding of animals – but our steps to implement change for their wellbeing have not progressed at the same rate. Over the last few hundred years, wild landscapes have been desecrated and their inhabitants persecuted at an unprecedented pace, while zoos have failed to convert visitors into passionate conservationists. So what now? Do we acknowledge our failings and just ‘give up’, at this most critical time when we’re facing a sixth mass extinction? Or do we do things differently and start winning more battles? I’m in the latter camp, despite understanding and acknowledging the scale and scope of work to be done. Zoos and similar facilities are uniquely positioned to influence the hearts and minds of decision-makers