Introduction Michael Hutchins, Robert J. Wiese and Brandie Smith; Part I. Programs and Initiatives: 1. Evolving approaches to zoo-based conservation Corinne J. Kendall and Richard A. Bergl; 2. Protecting an underwater rainforest: freshwater science in the Southeastern United States Anna L. George, Joshua R. Ennen and Bernard R. Kuhajda; 3. Headstarting as a conservation strategy for threatened and endangered species Patrick Thomas, Donal M. Boyer, David A. Oehler, Scott Silver and Lou Perrotti; 4. Strategic gene banking for conservation: the ins and outs of a living bank Rebecca J. Hobbs, Justine K. O'Brien and Rebecca E. Spindler; 5. The environmental education program at São Paulo Zoo (Brazil): perspectives and experiences for wildlife conservation Kátia Gisele de Oliveira Rancura, Camila Martins and João Batista da Cruz; 6. Conservation and education through dolphin research and eco-tourism Kathleen Dudzinski and Mary Ellen Mateleska; Part II. Captive Care and Management: 7. Lear¿s macaw, Anodorhynchus leari, ex situ breeding program at São Paulo Zoo Fernanda Junqueira Vaz Guida, Regiane Vieira de Paiva Morais and Angélica Midori Sugieda; 8. Measuring welfare through behavioral observation and adjusting it with dynamic environments Jason V. Watters, Bethany L. Krebs and Eridia Pacheco; 9. Empowering zoo animals Stephanie M. Allard and Meredith J. Bashaw; 10. Transforming the nutrition of zoo primates (or how we became known as Loris Man and that Evil Banana Woman) Amy Plowman and Francis Cabana; 11. Tough questions, complex answers: American zookeeper responses in a nationwide survey about culling David M. Powell and Matt Ardaiolo; Part III. Saving Species: 12. Fly away home: a collaborative program to return rehabilitated black cockatoos to the wild in Western Australia Anna Le Souëf, Simone Vitali, Rick Dawson, Jill M. Shephard and Kristin S. Warren; 13. Back into European wildlife: the reintroduction of the northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) Johannes Fritz, Markus Unsöld and Bernhard Völkl; 14. The thin green line: medical considerations in fighting extinction of the Houston toad Lauren L. Howard and Paul S. Crump; 15. Condor conservation comes home to roost: the Santa Barbara Zoo's story Estelle A. Sandhaus and Rich Block; 16. Saving the black-footed ferret from extinction: in theory and practice Rachel Santymire; Part IV. Basic Research: 17. 'Largest breeding colony outside of Australia': linking koala ex situ and in situ research Jennifer R. Tobey; 18. Comparative cognition research in zoos Bonnie M. Perdue; 19. Learning about dolphins: an era of discovery in managed care Holli C. Eskelinen, Jill L. Richardson and Kelley A. Winship; 20. Contributions of zoo-based reproductive research to marine animal conservation Justine K. O'Brien, Karen J. Steinman, Gisele A. Montano and Todd R. Robeck; 21. Studying play in zoos and aquariums Sabrina I. C. A. Brando and Gordon M. Burghardt; 22. Krogh's principle and why the modern zoo is important to academic research Joseph R. Mendelson, III, Gordon W. Schuett and Dwight P. Lawson; 23. Does research have a place in the zoological garden? Terry L. Maple and Sally L. Sherwen; 24. Conclusion: cultivating science in world zoos and aquariums Meredith J. Bashaw and Terry L. Maple.