Zoo Animal Welfare

“Some painful lessons have been learned in the construction of reptile facilities and aquariums when many delicate specimens were lost and facilities had to close to remove toxic materials. In 1966, the inadvertent use of formaldehyde in construction killed many animals in the new reptile house in Atlanta, resulting in a complete gutting of the facility and a one-year delay in opening the building (Desiderio 2000). Welfare begins with astute planning and design (Fig. 8.10).”