The Future of zoos

Guests: Andy Baker, Jeffrey Hyson, Meredith Bashaw

The Philadelphia zoo just opened a new trail system for the animals which runs in the treetops above visitor’s heads. Look up and you might see a tiger, puma, lion and snow leopard running on the Big Cat Crossing. Small primates can also stretch their legs on a canopy trail system and there are plans for getting walkways for the hippos, giraffes and zebras.  Guest host Jeff Brady talks with ANDY BAKER, Chief Operating Officer at the Philadelphia Zoo, about the new trail system.  Then, we’ll discuss some of the challenges modern zoos face between balancing the interests of the animals with those of the public, and their mission of conservation with individual animal welfare.  Our guests are JEFFREY HYSON, Assistant Professor in History at Saint Joseph’s University and MEREDITH BASHAW, Associate Professor of Psychology at Franklin & Marshall College.