ZooCheck New Zealand

The Zoo Inquiry - published by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Born Free Foundation, is an examination of the role zoos play and their future use as conservation centres.  It also examines how acceptable zoos are in modern society,  the cost of captivity on the wildlife kept in them and if zoos' claims that they are conservation and education centres can be justified.

The Zoo Inquiry concludes:

"that the captive breeding of wild animals for true conservation objectives, while a worthy aim, can only, at best, play a marginal role in species conservation;
that most zoos do little to educate people about how the public can help to conserve wild species and that many zoos cause considerable physical and psychological animal suffering.

We believe that there is a role in the zoo debate for everyone with an interest in and concern about animal welfare and conservation. We hope this Report contributes to that debate and helps in our efforts to define a viable, sustainable and compassionate conservation strategy for the future.

Will Travers
Executive Director
The Born Free Foundation

Andrew Dickson
Chief Executive
World Society for the Protection of Animals

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this excellent reference resource, contact one of the above organizations.