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A zoo, sometimes known as a zoological park or zoological garden, is a facility where animals are kept in captivity for public viewing. Many zoos also breed creatures. Over 1,000 vast animal collections are available to the public, mostly located in larger cities. The term derives from zoology, or the study of animals.
See the fact file below for more information on Zoos, or you can download our 27-page Zoos worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- People have maintained wild animals for thousands of years, but their collections only sometimes resembled modern zoos.
- The first zoos were built as private collections by the affluent to demonstrate their wealth. These private collections were referred to as menageries.
- According to wall engravings discovered in Egypt and Mesopotamia, menageries were constructed by emperors and aristocracy as early as 2500 BCE.
- They kept accounts of journeys to distant locations to bring exotic animals like giraffes, elephants, bears, dolphins, and birds back.
- There is evidence that ancient zoo owners employed animal managers to ensure the survival and reproduction of their animals.
- We can also find zoos in succeeding civilizations like China, Greece, and Rome. In what is now Mexico, the Aztec ruler Montezuma II had one of the Western hemisphere’s first animal collections. During the Spanish invasion in 1520, Hernan Cortes destroyed it.
MODERN ZOOS
- During the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, the modern public zoo model became popular.
- Science, reason, and logic were promoted as civic and political principles throughout the Age of Enlightenment in European history.
- The Age of Enlightenment’s scientific focus expanded to zoology.
- People began to wish to study animals for scientific purposes during this period. Animal behavior and anatomy were of interest to scientists.
- Scientists and zookeepers had to maintain animals in environments similar to or identical to the animals’ native habitats to observe them.
- In 1793, the first modern zoo opened in Paris, France. Leaders of the French Revolution took over the menageries of French aristocrats, including the king and queen, and moved them to the MΓ©nagerie du Jardin des Plantes. The zoo is still a bustling and popular attraction in central Paris.
- Early zoos, such as the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes, were more like animal museums than natural environments. Animals were housed in tiny exhibition spaces, with as many species as space permitted.
- Nowadays, zoos are designed to entertain and educate the public while promoting the scientific study and animal protection.
- There is a movement to give animals more excellent room and to recreate natural habitats. The government typically regulates and inspects zoos.
TYPES OF ZOO
Urban and Suburban Zoos
- Large-city urban zoos still resemble the smaller zoos that were popular 200 years ago. These zoos are frequently located in the heart of cities, making expansion difficult.
- There needs to be more space for urban zoo expansion, and many of the zoo’s structures are historical landmarks that cannot be demolished or rebuilt.
- Animals are housed in relatively tiny enclosures in many metropolitan zoos. Some animal rights advocates say that keeping animals in cities is inhumane due to crowded surroundings, noise, and pollution.
- In Europe, urban zoos are prevalent, although many zoos in the United States began as large parks on the outskirts of towns.
- These open-range zoos provide more significant space for animals to wander and more natural surroundings. Landscape immersion is a common approach for creating realistic environments.
- The southern California San Diego Zoo is the country’s largest zoo. It is a suburban zoo with about 4,000 animals (800 distinct species) housed in its 0.4 square kilometers.
- Landscape immersion separates animals into their native habitats, such as the tundra (which contains reindeer and polar bears) or the bamboo forest.
- The San Diego Zoo also has a wild animal park, which is significantly larger.
CONSERVATION
Game Reserves
- Game reserves are vast tracts of land with protected habitats and native wildlife. The safeguards allow animals to reproduce and survive at their regular rates. Animals are also free to wander.
- A safari was an expedition to hunt “big game” (large animals like elephants or lions) in the 1800s. While some game reserves still allow traditional hunting safaris, others restrict visitors to a “photo safari,” where they can capture the scenery, not the animals.
- All game reserves protect animals from illegal hunting, threatening many endangered species. The government regulates legal hunting.
- Hunters must obtain licenses and are highly limited in hunting species. Poachers, or unlicensed hunters, slaughter animals for valuable body parts, for example, elephants for their ivory tusks.
- We can find game reserves in Asia, the Americas, and Australia. The majority of game reserves, however, are in Africa.
- Millions of travelers come to African destinations to witness the same creatures that enthralled audiences thousands of years ago.
- The Big Five species of Africaβlions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and water buffaloβare the most popular. The Big Five are not Africa’s most giant animals (though the elephant is), but they are the most difficult to locate and kill when it is authorized.
- All five Big Five animals can be seen in certain nature reserves in South Africa, including the Kruger National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park, the Pilanesberg National Park, the Imfolozi Game Reserve, and the Gondwana Game Reserve.
- Gondwana is located towards the heart of South Africa’s southern coast on 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres). Like many extensive wildlife reserves, Gondwana contains natural ecosystems that do not need landscape immersion.
- Grasslands cohabit with fynbos shrubland in Gondwana. Like many other game reserves, Gondwana has accommodations in the park for visitors
- .Petting zoos
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SPECIALIZATION
- Most zoos feature separate cages and habitats for different species. Zoos in frigid climes, such as Novosibirsk, Russia, must replicate warm habitats for creatures such as lemurs.
- Lemurs are a monkey endemic to Madagascar, an island off Africa’s east coast.
- Summer temperatures in both Siberia and Madagascar are similarβaround 21 degrees Celsius.
- However, Madagascar experiences 200 to 250 mm (8 to 10 inches) of rain throughout the summer, producing a humid rainforest environment.
- Novosibirsk gets about 60 to 65 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) of rain and snow yearly.
- The contrast in winter temperatures is much more pronounced: Madagascar is around 15 degrees Celsius warmer. At this temperature, the fur of lemurs can keep them warm.
- The temperature in Novosibirsk during the winter is -10 degrees Celsius. The Novosibirsk Zoo houses two lemur species in a dedicated heated habitat with high humidity.
- Some zoos are wholly dedicated to a single species. Aquariums are specialized zoos that only host aquatic creatures.
- The Sydney Aquarium in Australia has 700 native Australian species and displays other sea and water creatures from most of Australia’s water habitats, including the first Seal Sanctuary.
- Another specialist zoo is aviaries and bird parks. For example, the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore is home to over 8,000 birds representing 600 species worldwide.
- Jurong includes around 1,000 flamingos in an African wetlands display with a daily rainstorm simulation.
CONSERVATION
- The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is concerned with the health of zoo animals.
- Environmental initiatives focus on study, captive breeding of uncommon creatures, and conservation.
- Zoo researchers may examine animals up close and personal. They may watch behavior like mating and food preferences. Biologists and veterinarians are also on hand to treat ill or damaged animals.
- Zoos are crucial for animal survival due to the captive breeding of endangered species. Animals endemic to India and Bangladesh, such as the black soft-shelled turtle, are now extinct in the wild.
- They do, however, survive in various zoos throughout the world, where experts monitor their health.
- Many zoo captive breeding projects aim to reintroduce animals back into the wild. The California condor, a large bird native to the United States west coast, has been restored to its natural habitat after breeding in zoos and wildlife parks. In the wild, there are currently countless breeding pairs of California condors.
- According to critics of captive breeding efforts, releasing a few animals into the wild accomplishes nothing to help the species’ population.
- Animals are becoming extinct in the wild owing to habitat destruction. The reintroduction of animals, vast species that require enormous areas of land to survive, does little to restore destroyed habitats. People are still developing land for homes and businesses.
- Conservation programs in the native habitats of the animals kept captive are common at zoos.
- For example, WAZA collaborated with communities in rural Papua New Guinea to rescue tree kangaroos.
- These uncommon animals are threatened by habitat degradation and Papua New Guinea’s expanding population: villagers shoot the tree kangaroo for meat.
- A zoo program started a rabbit farming business to suit the nutritional needs of the locals. Zoos also established conservation areas where the shooting of tree kangaroos was prohibited.
Zoo Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Zoos across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Zoos, sometimes known as zoological parks or zoological gardens, is a facility where animals are kept in captivity for public viewing. Many zoos also breed creatures.
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Zoo Facts
- Share a Fact
- They Belong in the – Zoo
- Modern Zoos
- Animal Threats
- Zoo Types
- Zoo Visit
- A Letter and an Animal
- Our Zoological Park
- Conservation Plan
- Mystery Puzzle
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do zoos exist?
Zoos exist for a variety of reasons, including conservation, education, and entertainment. Zoos are often involved in breeding endangered species to help save them from extinction, and they can provide opportunities for people to learn about different animals and their habitats. Zoos also offer a fun and engaging way for people to spend time with their families and friends.
Do zoos treat animals well?
This is a complicated question, as not all zoos are created equal. Some zoos have received criticism for providing inadequate living conditions or not providing proper care for their animals. However, many zoos are dedicated to providing the best possible care for their animals, and they work hard to ensure that the animals are healthy and happy.
Are zoos ethical?
Again, this is a complicated question that depends on who you ask. Some people believe that zoos are inherently unethical, as they involve keeping animals in captivity and taking away their freedom. Others argue that zoos are necessary for conservation and education and that as long as the animals are treated well, they can live happy lives in captivity.
How do zoos help with conservation?
Zoos can help with conservation in a number of ways. They often participate in breeding programs for endangered species, which can help to increase the population and prevent extinction. Zoos may also conduct research on different animal species and their habitats, which can inform conservation efforts in the wild. Additionally, zoos can raise awareness about conservation issues and encourage people to take action to protect the environment and the animals that live in it.
Should we abolish zoos?
This is a matter of personal opinion. Some people believe that zoos are unethical and should be abolished, while others believe that zoos serve an important purpose in conservation and education. It’s important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of zoos when making a decision about whether they should continue to exist.
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