AGLS 6502 Lecture 4.3 - Roles of Zoos
4.3.1The Role of Zoos
- Recreation
- Education
- Research
- Breeding
- Conservation
4.3.2 A look at the Emperor Valley Zoo
Functions:
- Recreation: Mainly for the benefit of the public of Trinidad and Tobago
- Education: As a result of 1 above.
- Research: Very little.
- Breeding: Some done for stock maintenance.
- Conservation: A secondary function.
Species Grouping and distribution at the Emperor Valley Zoo
Animal Grouping |
Total Number of Specimens [ % of Total ] |
Total Number of Species [ % of Total ] |
Mammal |
190 [ 10%] |
34 [ 20%] |
Bird |
365 [ 19%] |
64 [ 36%] |
Fish |
774 [ 41%] |
35 [ 20%] |
Reptile |
546 [ 29%] |
37 [ 21%] |
Amphibian |
4 [ <1%] |
2 [ 1%] |
Invertebrate |
16 [ <1%] |
3 [ 2%] |
Total |
1895 |
176 |
Development of the Emperor Valley Zoo
Date |
Event |
23 April 1947 |
A Zoo Committee formed |
17 June 1947 |
Mr J. C. Cator- Chairperson |
July 1947 |
The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago formed |
24 Sept 1947 |
Site Selected |
May 1952 |
Mr. W Dickson appointed the Official Collector |
6 June 1952 |
Mr N. Augustine made the Permanent Caretaker of the Zoo |
8 Nov 1952 |
Opening of the Emperor Valley Zoo |
1 August 1955 |
Lionel Shannon appointed Curator |
1966 |
The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago incorporated |
1972-73 |
Zoo almost closed |
April 1973-93 |
Mr. H. Boos appointed Full Time Curator |
1996 |
Mr K. Caesar appointed Curator |
1997 |
Mr S. Ali appointed Assistant Curator |
Source:
Brown, R; Boos, H. and Garcia, G. W (1994). A Repository of Indigenous Wildlife Genes at the Emperor Valley Zoo, In Proceedings of the "6 th NIHERST Annual Seminar on Agricultural Research in Trinidad and Tobago" pp 177-194.
4.3.3 Recommended Readings
- Clark, T. W; Reading, R. P. and Clarke, A. L. (1994) (Editors) : Endangered Species Recovery. Island Press, Washington D. C, USA, 18 chapters >439 pages.
- Primack, R (1995): Primer of Conservation Biology, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA
- Nyhuis, A. W. (1994): The Zoo Book: A Guide to America’s Best. Carousel Press, California, USA. >262 pages.
- Caughley, G and Sinclair, A ( 1994): Wildlife Ecology and Management, Blackwell, Massachusetts, USA.
Helpful Links, Photos, Videos and Multimedia
University of California, Davis interview with Jane Goodall on the role of zoos in saving wildlife
Genetics and conservation principles are combined at the Edinburgh Zoo
Positive changes and new additions at the Emporer Valley Zoo, Trinidad