68. Zoo Animals

2024/10/28

The Economics of Everyday Things

Chapters

Zoos used to buy and sell animals, especially rare ones. However, with the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, restrictions on importing endangered species led zoos to focus on breeding. Now, accredited zoos rarely buy or sell animals, instead sourcing them from other zoos within the U.S.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 changed how zoos acquire animals.
Accredited zoos in the US primarily source animals from each other now, rather than buying or selling them.
Historically, zoos would buy animals from explorers and smugglers, sometimes for exorbitant prices.

Shownotes Transcript

When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages.

SOURCES:
Hollie Colahan), deputy director of the Birmingham Zoo and chair of the AZA's Animal Population Management Committee.
Dwight Lawson), executive director and C.E.O. of the Oklahoma City Zoo.
RESOURCES:
"Oklahoma City Zoo Announces Near-Total Redesign in 2024 Master Plan)," by Sam Royka (*The Oklahoman, *2024).
"Panda Diplomacy: What China’s Decision to Send Bears to the US Reveals About Its Economy)," by Chee Meng Tan (*The Conversation, *2024).
"Oklahoma City Zoological Trust Financial Statements)," (2023).
"Modern Zoos Are Not Worth the Moral Cost)," by Emma Marris (*The New York Times, *2021).
"The Tiger King of the 19th Century)," by Betsy Golden Kellem (*Slate, *2020).
Animal Population Management Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums).

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The Economics of Everyday Things

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Shownotes Transcript

68. Zoo Animals