What Do Wild and Captive Mean for Large Ungulates and Carnivores Now and into the Twenty-First Century

The terms wild and captive have stimulated considerable debate among academicians, animal protectionists and conservationists. Some argue that animals have a right to freedom and that there is a moral predis-position against holding them in zoos (Jamieson, 1985; 1995; Varner and Monroe, 1991). Others argue that modern zoos and their living collections are becoming increasing important to wildlife conservation and science, and that the collective benefits so derived may override this predisposition (Hutchins and Wemmer, 1991; Conway, 1995; Hutchins et al, 1995; Norton, 1995). The purpose of this paper is to explore the concepts of wild and captive and their meaning to large ungulates and carnivores today and into the twenty-first century