Foggy Glass- Previously zoos were used solely for the entertainment of ‘us’ humans, in the Victorians or earlier Mengerian times. However, as we become more conscious of our planet and surrounding wilderness, zoos have become more of a conservation hub. This project highlights the highs and lows of zoos and animals in captivity

Throughout this project, you will see scenes of successful conservation efforts, hope, sadness, and confusion. These images are ambiguous and leave the viewer to decide on the nature of captivity.

The sadness and sense of frustration from the subjects are so clear throughout the portfolio of images, these emotions are easier to see within the larger animals such as big cats that need a lot of space but may not be able to get within a zoo setting. Yet zoos have many successful conservation stories, often through breeding programme. ‘Foggy Glass’ also highlights these positive stories that can be overlooked, such as the success story that came from zoos conservation and charitable efforts, in saving the rhino, without these efforts there existence could be compromised.

Chester and Newquay , the zoos highlighted within this portfolio, are different due to their size and funding. They are both charity-based zoos and therefore share the same mission to ‘prevent extinction’ and to ‘halt the decline of species. They are both successful in their missions along with other partnering zoos that they work closely with to create the best habitats and life for the species they care for. This was visible at Newquay Zoo especially, as due to it being a small low funded zoo, they sister with Paignton Zoo, where they recently transferred their lions to, purely for the lions to have a better enclosure. The efforts and care that the zoo displays shows they are prepared to lose their main attraction for their benefit and welfare of the animals. This shows how times have changed and attraction is not the only appeal to zoos. However, this still leaves the question of whether should animals be there in the first place?

Although zoos are important for conservation efforts and the survival of some species, animals who depend on having large areas to roam may display symptoms of sadness and confusion, when being kept in small enclosures while people look at them through ‘foggy glass’.