The topic of zoos can be controversial, but the reality is that they are in or near most big cities. I am not trying to make you like and support zoos. Perhaps this will help you appreciate their history and efforts to improve.

To understand their beginning, we have to look at where it all began. People began having animals for religious reasons such as sacrifices. Then animals became popular in sports and entertainment.

Then collections of animals became popular. This was the beginning of Menageries or royal collections. The Menagerie is where the idea of zoos began.

The first zoo was a zoological garden in Vienna. It was extremely inspirational because of its mix of animals and plants.

Many zoos today have incorporated gardens and botanical departments.

As zoos became more public, science and education were incorporated. The London Zoo was one of the first zoos to do so. The zoo was meant to be an escape from the city.

Today the cities have grown around most zoos.

Central Park Menagerie was perhaps one of the first zoos in the US, based on what we think of as a zoo. It was an example of zoos and circuses working together. The circuses were more advanced and had more animal care than zoos.

Today we think the opposite.

The number of zoos began to grow. The exhibits went from being cages to resembling the wild. As more information was gathered about animal care, zoos included enrichment to encourage the animals natural behaviors.

Most animals in zoos nowadays were born there or at other zoos. These animals are ambassadors for their wild cousins. This is important for their species survival since people are destroying their natural habitats in the wild.

Conservation, breeding, and research centers have also become popular. The Wilds and San Diego Safari park are examples of these centers that include mixed species and are more like nature reserves.

Associations have aided zoos in their improvements by focusing on improving animal care and conservation efforts.

Zoos are constantly changing with new discoveries and knowledge. They adapt to the need of the animals and to the needs of society.

Personal opinion of zoos aside, they have come a long way.