The Role of Canadian Zoos and Aquaria in Species at Risk Conservation by Katrina Jansen A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Geography University of Toronto © Copyright by Katrina Jansen 2016 The Role of Canadian Zoos and Aquaria in Species at Risk Conservation Katrina Jansen Master of Arts Department of Geography University of Toronto 2016 Abstract Though many zoos have been participating in conservation activities for decades, academics have yet to conduct a thorough analysis of how zoos and aquaria are assisting in the recovery of species at risk. This thesis investigates the role of Canadian zoos and aquaria in conservation by using a combination of interviews with zoo staff members, observations of people at zoo exhibits, and multi-level species recovery document analysis. I argue that zoos in Canada are uniquely placed to make a substantial contribution to species at risk recovery in several main areas, including captive breeding and reintroductions, research, education, and recovery strategy development. However, financial limitations are holding these institutions back from growing their involvement in species at risk conservation, despite the pressing need for more non- governmental organizations, such as zoos, to take on a more active role in species recovery. ii Acknowledgments I would first off like to express my gratitude to the case study organizations. The Assiniboine Park Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo, and the Vancouver Aquarium were all extremely supportive of my research investigations, and did their utmost to ensure that I was able to collect the necessary data. I also would like to thank the staff members from each of these organizations for their honesty and willingness to participate in this project; I could not have accomplished this work without you. During my data collection phase, I was also fortunate to have the assistance of several other organizations, including: the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, which allowed me access to some of their past data; the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, for assisting in my understanding of zoological accreditation requirements; and the Manitoba Wildlife Branch for aiding my search for recovery strategies in that province. I was also very fortunate to have the support and guidance of my supervisor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Andrea Olive. Dr. Olive, you were the best supervisor I could have asked for. Your unfailing encouragement, quick responses to questions, and willingness to push me into digging were all instrumental in helping me to complete this thesis. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee, Dr. Laurel Besco and Dr. Amy Mui, for their consideration and feedback on this work. During my research, I have been supported by funding from both the St. George and Mississauga campuses of the University of Toronto. In particular, I wish to thank the Mississauga departments of Geography and Political Science for their generous grants, which enabled me to conduct my field research at the four different institutions across the country. Writing a thesis can be a lonely, tiring road; yet, thanks to the support of my partner, family, and friends, I was able to retain my enthusiasm (and sanity) during the writing process. Thank you one and all – I could not have done this without you! iii Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ ix List of Appendices ...........................................................................................................................x Chapter 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ..........................................................................................................................1 1.2 The Issue ..............................................................................................................................3 1.3 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................5 1.4 Structure of Thesis ...............................................................................................................6 Chapter 2 Review of the Literature ..................................................................................................9 2.1 A Brief Overview of Modern Zoos ....................................................................................10 2.1.1 Zoos on a Global Scale ..........................................................................................10 2.1.2 Zoos in a North American Context ........................................................................11 2.1.3 Animal Rights and Zoos ........................................................................................13 2.2 Zoo Involvement in Conservation .....................................................................................14 2.2.1 Captive Breeding and Reintroductions ..................................................................14 2.2.2 Education ...............................................................................................................16 2.2.3 Research .................................................................................................................18 2.3 Current Species at Risk Protection in Canada ...................................................................20 2.3.1 Species at Risk Legislation ....................................................................................20 2.3.2 Role of NGOs in Canada .......................................................................................22 2.4 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................24 Chapter 3 Study Locations and Methods .......................................................................................26 3.1 Theoretical Framework: Political Ecology ........................................................................26 iv 3.2 Positionality .......................................................................................................................26 3.3 Study Locations .................................................................................................................28 3.3.1 Choosing the Study Locations ...............................................................................28 3.3.2 About the Study Locations.....................................................................................29 3.4 In-depth Interviews ............................................................................................................31 3.4.1 Choosing and Contacting Participants ...................................................................32 3.4.2 Confidentiality and Ethics......................................................................................34 3.4.3 Conducting Interviews ...........................................................................................34 3.5 Exhibit Observations ..........................................................................................................35 3.5.1 Choosing Exhibits ..................................................................................................35 3.5.2 Confidentiality and Ethics......................................................................................36 3.5.3 Conducting Observations .......................................................................................36 3.6 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................37 3.6.1 Transcription and Coding of Interviews ................................................................37 3.6.2 Analysis of Exhibit Observation Data ...................................................................38 3.6.3 Recovery Document Analysis ................................................................................39 Chapter 4 Captive Breeding and Reintroductions .........................................................................41 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................41 4.2 Captive Breeding Programs at the Case Study Institutions ...............................................42 4.2.1 International and Federal Recovery Planning ........................................................42 4.2.2 Provincial Recovery Planning................................................................................44 4.3 Zoo Involvement in Recent Reintroductions .....................................................................46 4.3.1 Reintroduction Successes.......................................................................................47 4.3.2 In-Progress Reintroduction Efforts ........................................................................48