Bored zoo animals are unlikely to breed successfully, and are pretty dull
to watch. Zoos that fail to tackle their charges’ boredom also fail to fulfil
either a conservation or an educational role. Second Nature: Environmental
Enrichment for Captive Animals collects the views of animal behaviourists, zoo
managers and psychologists on how to improve living conditions. Everyone’s
trying hard, but it’s clear there is still a long way to go. Published by
Smithsonian Institute Press, £25.25, ISBN 1560987456.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Mind
‘Remarkable’ discovery upends our understanding of how brains store memories
News
Humans
DNA reveals a society organised around women in pre-Roman Britain
News
Physics
Quantum entanglement is key to solving 250-year-old maths problem
News
Space
The most breathtaking photos of the total solar eclipse
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles