Preface Introduction 1. Intern at the Zoo: An Eclectic Orientation 2. Too Early for the Autopsy: Fitting in at the Zoo 3. Growing Pains: Educating the Menagerie Makers 4. The Keepers: Nurturing the Health of Animals 5. Zoo Babies: Promoting Motherhood 6. Exhibit Making: Creating Zoo Ecosystems 7. Creature Comfort: The Power of Microenvironments 8. What's This Thing? Searching for the Normal 9. Holding the Tiger: Zoos Say Yes to Drugs 10. Finding the Sick in the Zoo: Seeking Out Disease and Discomfort 11. Feeding the Ark: The Nutritional Wisdom of Animals 12. Getting Closer to Animals: Judas Goats and Alpaca Coats 13. So, You Work at the Zoo?Employees, Visitors, and Fence Jumpers 14. Animal Cases and Chases: And Some Things Better Kept to Myself 15. Zoo Regulars: Coworkers Without Titles 16. Ethical Captivity: Animal Well-Being in Zoos 17. What a Zoo Should Be: And Ought Not Be Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works on Zoos
" Life at the Zoo is a comprehensive look at all the unique aspects of zoos -- both past and present. Dr. Robinson gives valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of the zoo world, touching on zoo keeping, animal diets, exhibit trends, and more. Life at the Zoo is a must-read for anyone considering a career with animals." -- Dr. Jack Hanna, director emeritus, Columbus Zoo "From his extensive firsthand experience, Robinson describes details of his recollections as one of the early zoo veterinarians in this readable book. The history of zoos, their remarkable change over the years, and the outlook for modern zoos with emphasis on conservation are detailed unemotionally, but very accurately. Robinson touches on nutrition, the visitors, architectural designs, and many other important issues facing the zoo world today. As an early proponent of competent veterinary care and science in zoos, he is well equipped to bring his extensive experience to the reader. I highly recommend this excellent book to anyone interested at all in the complexity of animal care in zoological gardens." -- Dr. Kurt Benirschke, former president of the Zoological Society of San Diego "Combines the very best in the development of zoo/wildlife medicine, zoo operation, and the evolution of the modern zoo... Poignant and humorous." -- Lester Fisher, director emeritus, Lincoln Park Zoo
Phillip T. Robinson directed the veterinary medical program at the San Diego Zoo for ten years. He then became director of veterinary services and animal resources at the University of California, San Diego. A founding member of the board specialty of zoological medicine of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a past president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, he has also worked on the medical problems of animals in private collections and has been on the design team for several major zoo-animal medical facilities in the United States.
"The author entertains while educating the reader...an excellent introduction to the zoo world...the best single book to give teens who want to work in a zoo." -- Nancy Bent, Booklist "A thorough tour of zoos...His professional concern for animal care qualifies him to present fairly a comprehensive look." -- Library Journal "Robinson's wry tone, coupled with his intimate knowledge of zoo animals and melancholic love for them, makes Life at the Zoo eerily compelling." -- Kate Callen, San Diego Union-Tribune "People not involved in the zoo field will probably enjoy this behind the scenes look into what happens at the zoo. It is also a good addition to any zookeeper's personal collection if you enjoy reading zoo related books." -- Nannette Driver, Animal Keepers' Forum: The Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers " Life at the Zoo is more than a personal memoir of an illustrious career, it is a wise and witty reflection on all aspects of zoo life." -- John Bonner, New Scientist "His plain-spoken descriptions of these close encounters make for the most vivid reading." -- Julia M. Klein, Washington Post "The book is compelling and ought to appeal to zoo lovers of all stripes." -- American Scientist "Many lessons and much entertainment for all in this fascinating, frank and fair-minded book." -- Sally Walker, Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society "The reader will come away with a better appreciation for zoo evolution and the difficulties faced as zoos cope with mounting political and fiscal pressures while trying to conserve dwindling wild animal populations." -- Kirk Suedmeyer, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine "Robinson's wildly entertaining tales of illuminate the hazards and rewards of a world in which the "natural" and "unnatural" can collide, insightfully tracing the evolution of zoos from banal menageries to important conservation institutions." -- Animal Keepers' Forum
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