Schulz Andrew K, Shriver Cassie, Aubuchon Catie, Weigel Emily G, Kolar Michelle, Mendelson Joseph R, Hu David L
Schools of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
Integr Comp Biol. 2022 Jun 30. doi: 10.1093/icb/icac096.
Zoos offer university researchers unique opportunities to study animals that would be difficult or impractical to find in the wild. However, the different cultures, goals, and priorities of these institutions can be a source of conflict. How can researchers build mutually beneficial collaborations with their local zoo? In this article, we present the results of a survey of 117 personnel from 59 zoos around the United States, where we highlight best practices spanning all phases of collaboration, from planning to working alongside the zoo and maintaining contact afterward. Collaborations were not possible if university personnel did not appreciate the zoo staff's time constraints as well as the differences between zoo animals and laboratory animals. We include a vision for how to improve zoo collaborations, along with a history of our own decade-long collaborations with Zoo Atlanta. A central theme is the long-term establishment of trust between institutions.
动物园为大学研究人员提供了独特的机会，来研究那些在野外难以找到或不适合在野外研究的动物。然而，这些机构不同的文化、目标和优先事项可能会引发冲突。研究人员如何与当地动物园建立互利的合作关系呢？在本文中，我们展示了一项对美国各地59家动物园的117名工作人员的调查结果，其中我们强调了从合作规划到与动物园并肩工作以及之后保持联系的各个阶段的最佳实践。如果大学工作人员不理解动物园工作人员的时间限制以及动物园动物与实验动物之间的差异，合作就无法实现。我们阐述了如何改进与动物园合作的愿景，以及我们与亚特兰大动物园长达十年合作的历程。一个核心主题是机构之间长期信任的建立。
