Vernon N. Kisling is an expert in history of zoos, and University of Florida Chair Emeritus, Marston Science Library. Kisling earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida, a master's degree in library studies from Florida State University, a master's degree in wildlife management from the University of Georgia and a doctorate from Nova University. He has served as a librarian at the UF Marston Science Library since 1989 and is responsible for various subjects, including the history of science, environmental sciences and agricultural sciences.

Preface: From Wilderness to Megazoo. Acknowledgments. Editor's Biography. Contributors. Ancient Collections and Menageries. Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland. Zoological Gardens of Western Europe. Zoological Parks of Eastern Europe & Russia. Zoological Gardens of the United States. Zoological Gardens of Canada. Zoological Parks of Australia & New Zealand. Zoological Gardens of the Middle East. Zoological Gardens of Israel. Zoological Gardens of Asia. Zoological Gardens of India. Zoological Gardens of China. Zoological Gardens of Japan. Zoological Gardens of Africa. Zoological Gardens of Latin America. Appendix. Index.