Heini Hediger (30 November 1908 – 29 August 1992) was a Swiss biologist noted for work in proxemics in animal behavior and is known as the "father of zoo biology".

The main statement is that animals in zoos are not to be considered as “captives” but as “owners of property”, namely the territory of their enclosures.

He consequently emphasized that the quality of the enclosures (“furnishing”, structure) is equally, or even more important than quantity (space, dimensions) and substantiated this with observations in the natural habitat.

Zoo biology therefore implies that the life of animals in their natural surroundings must be studied in order to provide them with appropriate keeping conditions in human care.

Hediger's publications influenced the keeping of wild animals in human care in particular also in the construction of enclosures and the planning of zoos.