National Zoo Lover's Day
- Jen Sequel
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
National Zoo Lovers Day is a holiday that is celebrated on April 8th every year in the United States. This holiday is dedicated to appreciating the role that zoos play in society and the animals that call them home.
Zoos, short for zoological gardens, have been around for centuries. The term is applied to the scientific study of animals, zoology. Though the first types were far from the modern zoos we frequent today. In ancient times, collections of animals were a symbol of status and were kept as private menageries.
The oldest zoo still in operation was established in 1752 in Vienna, Austria. Known as the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, it was founded by Emperor Francis I, and was primarily for the royals and aristocrats. It wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that zoos were established for the public. The first public zoo in the United States was the Central Park Zoo in New York City, which opened in 1859.
Today, there are many types of zoos around the world. There are urban zoos, suburban zoos, safari parks, game reserves, and petting zoos. Some zoos are specialized to house specific species.
There are many reasons why zoos are important. One reason is for conservation. Zoos around the world participate in breeding programs to help save many endangered species. This helps to ensure that the species will continue to thrive, even if they disappear from the wild. Zoos also serve as educational tools. They provide an opportunity for people to learn about animals they may not have the chance to see in the wild, and to learn about conservation efforts that are being made around the world.
The most popular zoo animals vary depending on the location of the zoo. However, some of the most popular animals found in zoos around the world include elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes, penguins, pandas, and gorillas. These animals are all beloved by visitors for different reasons. Elephants are often admired for their intelligence and social behavior, while penguins are loved for their cute and comical waddles!
As mentioned before, zoos play an important role in conservation efforts. However, they also have many benefits for animals as well. Zoos provide a safe environment for animals to live in, free from predators, disease, and other factors that can be harmful to them in the wild. Zoos also provide animals with a steady supply of food and water, as well as veterinary care if they become sick or injured. Additionally, zoos offer mental stimulation for animals through enrichment activities, which help to keep them mentally and physically healthy.
There is a lot of criticism surrounding zoos as well. Many urban zoos are criticized for their small enclosures and overall environment. This has led to the expansion of zoos and larger enclosures that mimic the animal’s natural environment more closely.
And to add a fun fact that I’m sure many may not know about, animals were not always the ones on display. Humans also played a role in many collections. Human zoos, or ethnological expositions, were all the rage during the 19th and 20th centuries. Though their history goes as far back as Montezuma’s reign. These exhibitions are known more commonly as freak shows and carnivals. To this writer’s dismay, I discovered many menageries also housed people of different races and not just physical anomalies. The 1870s saw a rise in exhibitions of ‘exotic’ populations across Europe and later the United States. Research has shown these exhibits have continued under different frameworks through the 2000s.
National Zoo Lovers Day is a reminder that zoos can play an important role in the lives of preserving animals. Whether you visit a zoo to learn more about conservation efforts or simply to marvel at the majesty of these magnificent creatures, they provide an unforgettable experience. Learning the history of zoos also helps shed light on how far our civilization has come, and how much work still needs to be done.
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