In these modern times where skyscrapers and highways fill the scenery as far as the eyes can see and greenery is at a bare minimum, searching for that link to the inherent primal yearning within all of us of freedom and wilderness can be nearly impossible. Luckily, there are institutions built to alleviate this issue: zoos. Built in just about every major city around the world, zoos bring animals from all around the world and exhibit them in mini environments appropriate for the diametrically different environments around the world. Perfect for teaching children that there is a world beyond where they live and greatly diversifying their outlook, zoos are also a great way to escape the iron grip of reality that comes with living in a big city. With locations all over the world, there is sure to be a zoo near you, so get out there and lose yourself to the wild.
Ever since ancient times, zoos have fitted prominently in society; evidence of zoos has been seen in excavations of Ancient Egypt, China, Greece, Babylonia, and Israel. Zoos eventually came into vogue during the Industrial Revolution era of Europe and America, with zoos opening in multiple places throughout London, New York, Philadelphia, Dublin, and various other major hubs of advancing human civilization at the time. Due to the popularity of these initial menageries it is no surprise that zoos began budding throughout the world, becoming one of the hallmarks of any large city.
Besides the more traditional zoos that feature most prominently within the public imagination, there are actually many different types of institutions that qualify as zoos. For example, open range zoos are an increasingly popular attraction popping up in major cities worldwide. At these open range zoos, wild animals are kept in large, open ranges styled to a particular uncultivated environment that allow for a much more naturalistic way to view these animals; these exhibits often have the option to drive through the preserve, giving an extremely close encounter with animals that would not be possible anywhere else except the natural surroundings these wondrous creatures live in. Another example of a different type of zoos is aquariums. With facilities created to accommodate marine animals, aquariums are a great way to experience the wonders of the deep without having to get wet. Many of these aquariums nowadays have a wide variety of sea animals that goes beyond just fish, such as marine mammals (like seals, sea lions, otters, whales), and in the case of some aquariums, specimens of whale shark, the largest species of fish in the world. Plus, just like regular zoos, there are aquariums at just about every major city around the world. A more familiar option that is sure to be found in just about every city, big and small, is the petting zoo. Petting zoos can be usually found at various places, from farms to county fairs to street fairs in major cities; some regular zoos even have petting zoos as a side attraction. Featuring animals more commonly found on farms (such as goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, donkeys, llamas, and sometimes larger fare such as cows and horses), petting zoos are a wonderful way to introduce younger children to live animals. Children will love being able to connect with animals in a much more tactile experience; plus, many petting zoos have the option to feed the animals, giving children a truly unique experience in animal husbandry. Just remember to be safe and supervise your children as they frolic in these zoos, as they are still dealing with animals ,although more docile, that are wild nonetheless. Finally, an increasingly popular attraction is animal theme parks. These unique places combine the educational value of a zoo with the fun rides and shows associated more with theme parks. Many of these animal theme parks contain animals not usually found in regular zoos as well, giving a unique opportunity to see some creatures not found anywhere else (besides nature). Plus, many animals are trained to put on shows with animal trainers, presenting a truly unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. With these unique attractions, animal theme parks are worth the trip for more than just the combined exhibits of a zoo and roller coasters of a theme park.
For those worried about the potentially exploitative nature of zoos, it should be noted that zoos have played a major role in the conservation of endangered species, and most specimens are not taken directly from the wild and are instead bred in captivity. Many zoos nowadays have the main goal of protecting those endangered species by protecting them from disturbances in the wild and fostering them until they can be re-released into a safe habitat, ensuring that there precious treasures of nature do not go extinct. Furthermore, the aim of zoos at the present time is also aimed more at educating the public at large of the precarious situation these endangered species are found, and how people can change their habits in order to reverse the anthropogenic destruction of some of the most beautiful environments in the world that are facing destruction. While some zoos have gotten a bad rap for mistreatment of animals, it should be noted that these reports refer mainly to unsupervised, unaccredited roadside zoos and that this is hardly a problem at the huge metropolitan zoological exhibits. In fact, in the US alone, zoos must pass regulations by at least four different governmental agencies and abide by numerous laws that are set in place to ensure the wellbeing of the animals, not to mention the fact that most zoos also undergo optional accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. With all of this effort aimed at providing a safe place for animals to inhabit, zoos are a great conservational resource. Zoos are a mainstay in the public imagination, and are a great way to take your family out while keeping their minds sharp and their spirits high via the wonders of the natural world.