“Which of us has not been stunned by the beauty of an animal’s skin or its flexibility
in motion?” wrote American poet Marianne Moore.
How to ensure that future
generations enjoy such primal pleasure is a more complicated matter.
With each passing day it becomes clearer that the health of our
environment is linked to the health of animals with whom we share
it. What’s good for them is good for us.
Lincoln Park Zoo takes a
leading role in protecting the world’s wildlife and its habitats
through innovative education, science
and conservation programs.
It all begins, of course, right here at home with the animals.
“Maintaining a healthy collection of animals is at the core
of what we do at the zoo,” says Robyn Barbiers, D.V.M., vice
president for Collections. “I call it the holistic approach
to animal well-being. Along with a high level of medical care and
husbandry, we’re concerned about the animals’ social
structure, their behavior and the environments in which they live.”
Today many needs of animals
are defined through scientific research, information that is shared
with zoo professionals throughout the world and zoo visitors. The
reason for this is as pellucid as Moore’s poetry: The more
we learn about the care of animals in zoos, the more we can help
animals thrive in the wild.
Visitors enjoy face-to-face encounters at the Levine Family Polar Bear Plaza. |
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