Going into my field trip to the zoo for conservation biology I had an very negative view of zoos. I do not enjoy seeing the animals trapped in small enclosures, and often worried that they were unhappy. Yet, my professor, Doctor Rothenberger, stressed that a lot had changed even in the last decade with zoos. She said that while they used to have a goal of simply entertaining those who visited, the new goal is to educate visitors while simultaneously promoting conservation through captive breeding programs.

Upon arriving at the zoo I found that Doc R had been correct. While I still saw some things I did not like, such as the sad kangaroo sleeping on cement below, there were also countless examples of education and conservation, some of which I included in the below pictures.

(Educational and conservation information about the golden eagle)

(The Mexican Wolf)

(A Sad Kangaroo)

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is home to more than 294 animal ambassadors representing 88 species, 24 of which are classified as endangered, threatened, or species of concern. It studies all of these animals to learn more about them, as well as participating in captive breeding for conservation purposes. As a member of the association of zoos and aquariums, the Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for all of its threatened or endangered species. These animals have their genes catalogued and then individuals are paired with the best match at any other zoo around the country that will create the most genetically diverse offspring. By demonstrating their conservation efforts to me, the lehigh valley zoo helped change my impressions of what a zoo is, and began to erase the moral stigma I held against zoos.