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Mixing corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the zoo will likely provoke debate and discourse beyond these pages. However, this chapter intends to use the convergence of this business philosophy with this business area to address the fragile perspectives of responsibe practices in controversial industries. From “oil” to the now more politically correct terminology of “energy,” many industries are trying to reinvent themselves and their missions in light of external pressures. Leisure-related services can also be included and none more so than the modern zoos (and aquariums) that have tinkered with image from family entertainment to conservationists in action. In the sector of visitor attractions, the long-standing issue of zoos and whether it is acceptable to retain animals for the entertainment of spectators have been addressed by the zoo industry itself and by the watchdog organizations alike.

Güler Aras (www.guleraras.com) is a professor of Finance and Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences at Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey. She has published 16 books and has contributed over 150 articles to academic, business, and professional journals and magazines and to edited book collections. She has also spoken extensively at conferences and seminars and has acted as a consultant to a wide range of government and commercial organizations. Her research is into financial economy and financial markets with particular emphasis on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and a firm's financial performance.