An overview of the significance and management of vertebrate pests around zoological parks

Zoological parks provide ideal environments for a wide range of vertebrate pests, while at the same time presenting several unique challenges relative to the methods and materials employed for suppressing or eliminating vertebrate pest populations. As a result, zoo park pest management programs must be very carefully designed and implemented. Each of the most significant vertebrate pests requires a species-specific approach within a quality Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. Underlying this framework is a necessity for high level cooperation and communication between administrators, veterinarians, individual zookeepers, groundskeepers, pest management personnel and all contracted vendors servicing the park. Because the scope of vertebrate pest management is so broad– especially in the context of a zoo park environment– this paper presents an overview but guides the reader to the appropriate sources of additional pest management information for each particular pest group.