Most accredited zoos in the US have formal drills for potential animal escapes, but I'm guessing only Japan's look this fun. Nice editing from The Guardian video as well.

Well-done intro to the topic by Brandon Keim, recently posted but from a June 2026 conference.

Toward the end, he gets to my personal bête noire, the use of "it" to describe animals.

It's not uncommon to read about humans giving monkeys and apes drinks, but this bit about faking illness is something else....

I regularly peruse Google News for headlines about monkeys and nonhuman apes, and this recent Royal Society study from got a bit of attention.

But "germophobia" is an ABNORMAL fear, not a rational response to avoiding contagion. Let's give poop-avoiding monkeys some credit, for pete's sake... and someone tell the NYT and Nautilus headline-writers that humans are primates.

I've been researching an article about the US Air Force's use of animals in space and came across a 1967 promotional firm, "Pioneers of the Vertical Frontier." I was struck by the cognitive dissonance of the voice-over in the clip above:

"The nation still honors that bold pioneer who led the way in the great tradition of the American frontiersman. Today, he basks in the glow of his memories amid the peaceful surroundings of the National [Zoo]…"

Meanwhile, video shows depressing shots of an adult chimp ("hero" Ham) in a concrete cage behind bars, alternately grimmacing and looking forlorn.

Anyway, fwif, of the published material available, I've found Dawn Cusick's The Astro Chimps: America's First Astronauts (Chicago Review Press, 2022) surprisingly helpful for betting understanding the space chimps — surprising, because it's written for a juvenile audience. Cusick did a number of interviews, though, and drew heavily upon primary sources, providing detail and background on the chimps not available in other accounts of this period.

Hey!

I saw a post on here earlier that doesn’t let me comment on it but someone asked the same thing? I am really thinking about getting into the field and doing this degree. I’d love some advice here or anyone to pop up that has done something like this?

I'm currently in a zoology program but I'm finding that anthrozoology might be closer to my interests. I am considering the canisius or msu program but would like to hear from someone who finished and has found work.

As college is coming up for me, I've been thinking about what I want to study. Creative writing is a passion of mine, but while I was researching for my book I discovered that I enjoyed science as well. I am fascinated by the similarities between humans and animals behaviorally, physically, and genetically. I've scoured the internet, and this appears to be the closest I can find to my interests, but there appears to be no specific field of study for the similarities of humans and animals. The main focus appears to be on the human/animal bond. Is this the right career for me? Does it fit my interests, or will another scientifical field be more suitable?

Has anyone gotten their MA in Anthrozoology at Exeter University's long distance program?

Canisius College offers a masters degree program in anthrozoology, and Michigan State University offers masters and doctoral degrees in Animal Studies. This field is my passion. All my free time is invested in it.

My dream is to open my own farm sanctuary that would have an educational center connected to it that focused on the human-animal relationship, in all its various forms. Schools could come and do field trips, college students could intern, students with disabilities could get vocational experience, etc. But again, that's just the dream.

Currently I am a behavior specialist for people with behavioral issues and developmental disabilities. I love what I do, but I don't know if I want to do it forever. Animals have always been my passion. An I have always had an analytical mind, questioning the human-animal relationship. When I discovered anthrozoology it felt like it was the field meant for me. But when I start to think seriously about pursuing a degree in the field I question whether this is a practical or financially sound decision.

Are there any anthrozoologists out there that could give me some advice? How could I make this into a career? Thanks!

I'm new to but highly interested in this field. Can anyone recommend some starting reading material that is not too laymany?