Probing the depths of the aquatic realm. A Review of International Zoo Yearbook, Vol. 26, edited by P.J.S. Olney. London, Zoological Society of London, 1987, 574 pp., £39.75

Abstract

A Review of International Zoo Yearbook, Vol. 26, edited by P.J.S. Olney. London, Zoological Society of London, 1987, 574 pp., f39.75.Following the tradition of devoting the first section of each volume to a focused topic, Volume 26 presents a collection of papers titled "Aquatic Exhibits." Volume 4, issued more than 20 years ago, also presented aquatic exhibits, and this update is timely when considering the advances made in captive husbandry techniques and exhibit philosophy. Twenty-nine papers are presented in 179 pages. Thirteen can be considered husbandry papers, 14 are exhibit design and construction papers, and two are husbandry/exhibit presentations. A good cross section of specimens is covered. Two invertebrate papers are listed, along with five on fish, two on reptiles, six on seabirds and penguins, and five on mammals.One coral paper is excellent in examining the husbandry techniques for maintaining captive specimens. Another on penguin breeding is the definitive work on the subject. A paper on shark hyperthyroidism recommends a simple and effective way of controlling the disease, which is not uncommon in many collections. Breeding papers of rare and endangered species cover the Tokyo bitterling, four-eyed fish, wolf-eel, New Guinea side-necked turtle, arafura file snake, and the European otter. Renovations and new constructions of very large coral reef, tidepool, penguin, polar bear, seal, and Amazonian habitats are documented by the exhibits papers. A wave crash tidepool tank, the finest exhibit of its type, is well documented and explained, and is an excellent sample of the application of the new technology and exhibit philosophy that is also demonstrated in many other papers. All of the papers are supported by clear photographs, well-executed line drawings, as well as tables and charts when appropriate.Section 2, entitled "New Developments in the Zoo World," is composed of 24 short papers presented in 135 pages. Two reptile papers are presented, as well as four bird, one education, one exhibit, and 16 mammal papers. Section 2 stands apart from the "Aquatic Exhibits" section and is meant to present new findings, which are usually husbandry oriented, on all types of specimens. A heavy emphasis is on reproduction and rearing of rare and endangered animals, and individual papers focus upon the Tuatara, island rattlesnake, cassowary, pigmy goose, penguin, tree kangaroo, koala, water shrew, galago, Pesquet's parrot, anteater, volcano rabbit, aardvark, Lechwe antelope, mountain goat, and elephants. Other papers detail management and