Aspirational sketch by Jon proposing ‘soft’ primate enclosures and activity hubs to replace ’hard’ square concrete off-exhibit holding areas commonly used in modern zoos.
2020: Jon collaborated with animal welfare and training expert Sabrina Brando on a lengthy paper titled Confronting Back-of-House Traditions, a case study for primates. Animal welfare and environmental enrichment advances in zoo exhibits have far outpaced improvements in the areas where most animals spend most of their lives, the off-exhibit animal management areas. Substantive creative improvements in these areas are limited by traditions, standards, and regulations which put the convenience and efficiency of caregivers over the welfare of the animals. After identifying these challenges in terms of management, structural, and spatial environments we suggest fundamental ways to improve the welfare for all stakeholders while empowering animals in zoos, sanctuaries, and research laboratories to become more self-sufficient on a 24/7 lifetime basis. This paper is under peer review.