I think firsthand experience is very, very important. Of course, there’s official training in zoology or vet sciences. But then since there is no real university course on zoo biology, probably the best is either the volunteer assistant I mentioned for training to become a zoo biologist and finally a zoo director. Or to have- to have worked in several zoos that are specialized in different fields. I think this is much better than just reading books, which is important as well. But the firsthand and hands on experience, I think, can not be replaced by reading books. Within your lifetime, European zoos have gone through enormous changes. Collective species management, exhibit design systems.
