Norton, Bryan G. (Bryan G. Norton)

Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation Norton, Bryan G. (Bryan G. Norton) New edition

Jacket Description/Back: Ethics on the Ark presents a passionate, multivocal discussion - among zoo professionals, activists, conservation biologists, and philosophers - about the future of zoos and aquariums, the treatment of animals in captivity, and the question of whether the individual, the species, or the ecosystem is the most important focus in conservation efforts. Contributors represent all sides of the issues. Some advocate proposals to increase zoos' work in captive breeding programs. Others call for zoos to turn away from exotic, charismatic species and focus instead on community education programs aimed at protecting local fauna and habitats. Still others contend that zoos ought to be abolished. Moving from the fundamental to the practical, from biodiversity to population regulation, from animal research to captive breeding, Ethics on the Ark represents an important gathering of the many fervent and contentious viewpoints shaping the wildlife conservation debate. Biographical Note: Bryan G. Norton, professor of environmental public policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is the author of "Toward Unity Among Environmentalists" (1991) and "Why Preserve Natural Variety?" (1987) and editor of "The Preservation of Species" (1986). Michael Hutchins is director of conservation and science for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and adjunct professor in the graduate program in sustainable development and conservation biology at the University of Maryland. Elizabeth F. Stevens is conservation and science director for Walt Disney World Animal Programs. Terry L. Maple is president and chief executive officer of Zoo Atlanta/Fulton County Zoo, Inc., and director of Zoo Atlanta. Review Quotes: "Splendidly thought-provoking . . . The writers for "Ethics on the Ark" grapple seriously and intelligently with . . . the very real conflicts that lie between those who are, to be simplistic and heuristic, for zoos and those who are against. In turn, looming over the debate, hang the huge questions of our duties to animals and of the disappearance of the natural world."--"Boston Book Review""This book is a most important contribution to animal welfare and should be read by zoo professionals, conservationists involved with captive breeding, those concerned with the ethical justifiability of zoos, animal welfarists, and anyone with an interest in the role and future of zoos."--"Zoo Biology""This collection of essays successfully integrates the voices of zoo professionals, activists, conservation biologists, and philosophers and admirably balances a wide range of pro and con perspectives on the future of captive breeding."--"American Scientist""This is the freshest look yet at the interwoven issues of animal conservation, welfare, and rights facing the North American and, indeed, global zoo community today."--Lee Durrell, Honorary Director, Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust""Ethics on the Ark" is a wake-up call: a mandatory text for anyone concerned with environmental preservation, species diversity, and the humane treatment of individual animals in zoos."--Michael E. Kaufmann, American Humane Association

Contributor Bio:  Norton, Bryan G Bryan G. Norton is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of philosophy and environmental policy in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is the author or editor of several books, including "Linguistic Frameworks and Ontology", "Why Preserve Natural Variety?" and" Toward Unity among Environmentalists", and the "The Preservation of Species". He lives in Atlanta, GA. Contributor Bio:  Stevens, Elizabeth F Stevens, Walt Disney World Animal Programs. Contributor Bio:  Maple, Terry L, PH. Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999 and is widely heralded as the chief architect of the Republican Contract with America. Since his days as an environmental studies professor, he has been involved in a variety of environmental initiatives. Speaker Gingrich was the founding chair of the West Georgia College Chapter of the Georgia Conservancy. He has championed efforts to create the Chattahoochee River Greenway, protect the wild tigers of Asia, and establish the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Terry L. Maple is president and CEO of the Palm Beach Zoo and professor of conservation and behavior at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Maple is a former president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a coeditor of Ethics on the Ark. He was president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta from 1985 to 2003. Contributor Bio:  Hutchins, Michael Hutchinsis director of conservation and science for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Contributor Bio:  Ehrenfeld, David David Ehrenfeld is Professor of Biology at Rutgers University and holds degrees in history, medicine, and zoology. He is the founding editor of the journal Conservation Biology and the author of The Arrogance of Humanism and Beginning Again.