Zoo Culture

Why do people go to zoos? Is the role of zoos to entertain or to educate?In this provocative book, the authors demonstrate that zoos tell us asmuch about humans as they do about animals and suggest that while animalsmay not need zoos, urban societies seem to.A new introduction takes note of dramatic changes in the perceived roleof zoos that have occurred since the book's original publication."Bob Mullan and Garry Marvin delve into the assumptions about animalsthat are embedded in our culture. . . . A thought-provoking glimpse ofour own ideas about the exotic, the foreign." -- Tess Lemmon, BBC Wildlife Magazine"A thoughtful and entertaining guided tour." -- David White,New Society"[An] unusual and intriguing combination of historical survey, psychologicalenquiry, and compendium of fascinating facts." -- Evening Standard