Zoos

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-A well-organized, up-to-date history that begins with exotic menageries of ancient times and goes on to describe public zoos in the 1800s, mid-1900s, and the present. Two chapters discuss problems that still exist and present the views of those who believe people do not have the right to keep animals for their own amusement. Yancey then compares the modern zoo to Noah's Ark, built to protect creatures from the flood, and explains that its top priority is to save endangered species from destruction by humans and by loss of natural habitat. Readers learn about the dilemmas of roadside and traveling zoos, illegal game ranches, and culling (killing extra animals), but descriptions of organizations working to protect species will give them hope for the future of all captive beasts. Average-to-poor quality, black-and-white photographs appear throughout.-Karen M. Kearns, Environmental Resource Center, Atlanta, GA