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Wild Zoo Park By the fifth century BC the Greek leaders were keeping exotic collections for public viewing. These exhibits charged an entrance fee for the viewing of these creatures in the wild zoo park. In Rome animals were kept in the private collection of the wealthy and by the leaders for the purpose of killing them in the arena by gladiators. It is also reported that the early Chou Dynasty in China kept a zoo. Zoos have been kept for a multitude of reasons. For some governments, the reason was education of the people. For others, it was the satifaction of the curiosity of the population that was the driving force behind the collections of animals. In later times a wild zoo park was operated with an intent to educate the public. In fact this may be the driving force behind most zoo programs today. In the late 19th century many Americans experienced ther first contact with exotic animals through the travelling circus mengeries.Note, If you would care to go to my page on the Circus you will find my impression of the travelling circus as a little boy in the 1930s and 40s. It seemed normal at the time, but now, those small barred cages look more like animal jails. It is no wonder that the Lion paced back and forth, he barely had room to turn around. We were all aware (because of those strong iron bars) that wild animals were dangerous to people. This idea fit well into the now archaic idea that wild animals were meant to be conquered and then tamed. Gradually zoos changed from barred prison like enclosures to something more like a zoological garden. The animals were enclosd in chain link type fences and kept in areas that resembled their native habitat. With the less restrictive enclosures, the animals became more like what they were in the wild. The zoo programs changed along with the habitat. The emphasis is now on education towards the preservation of the remaining free herds of wild animals all over the world. The wild zoo park is becoming the norm as the new form for displaying wild animals. The newest concept in programs is the huge zoological parks that are springing up all over the world. Perhaps the easiest example to point to among these is the Animal Kingdom park at Disney World in Florida USA. There are hundreds of acres in which the animals roam free (within the bounds of the park). The visitor rides in a caravan through the park with a guide who explains the habitat and the setting.
 Everyone has their favorite local zoo. This zoo, near where we live, is our favorite. There are many activities held here, in addition to viewing the fine animals housed here. Please visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Here we will list some of the important Zoos and Zoological Parks found throughout the world. United States: Smithsonian National Zoological Park Botswana Africa: Mokolodi Game Reserve Amsterdam the Netherlands: Artis Zoo Amsterdam London England London Zoo Sydney Australia Taronga and Western Plains Zoo Toronto Canada Toronto Zoo |
