Towards sustainable zoo diets: A study of barriers and solutions
Citation
Fidgett AL, Crittenden AM, Kehlhofer A, Murfet Z, Torcasio F, and Shaw M. 2019. Towards sustainable zoo diets: A study of barriers and solutions. In Brooks M, Freel T, Koutsos E Eds. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation and AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Saint Louis, MO.
Abstract
Conservation is a key mission of zoological institutions around the world. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums reminds us in their 2005 Conservation Strategy Report that “conservation without action for sustainability is incomplete.” If sustainability is not practiced by zoos, their efforts towards species preservation are being contradicted. Whilst there has been action to move towards sustainability in a number of areas of operation, including reducing electricity consumption, implementing renewable energy, improving waste management and recycling, sourcing more sustainable and certified products in the retail and food outlets, one area yet to see a substantial transition is zoo animal feed. A collaboration between Monash University (Victoria, Australia), Taronga Conservation Society Australia (New South Wales, Australia), and San Diego Zoo Global (California, USA) sought to understand the barriers and explore potential solutions to sustainable zoo diets.
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