Keeping us captive

Bored zoo animals are unlikely to breed successfully, and are pretty dull
to watch. Zoos that fail to tackle their charges’ boredom also fail to fulfil
either a conservation or an educational role. Second Nature: Environmental
Enrichment for Captive Animals collects the views of animal behaviourists, zoo
managers and psychologists on how to improve living conditions. Everyone’s
trying hard, but it’s clear there is still a long way to go. Published by
Smithsonian Institute Press, £25.25, ISBN 1560987456.