Summary: Modern zoos have become an exercise in commercialism. Before looking at animals, you're funneled toward a gift shop filled with junk. Then you can buy hot dogs and pizza at the food court. Worst of all, not all exhibits are replicas of natural habits, and elephants especially are living in poorly structured environments. This is the argument of David Hancocks, a former director of Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. Hancocks is an architect who has worked with zoos and zoo design for more than 30 years. He spoke at Town Hall on May 23, 2012.
