History of zoos
08/09/2022 10:07
Zoological collections - A collection of animals kept within an
establishment for an intended purpose. The include:
• Education
• Science
• Conservation
• Entertainment
Where it began
• Both ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (historic region of
Western Asia) had a concept of zoos developed in their
ancient societies by at least around 2500 BC
• Egypt - exotic animals such as antelopes, baboons,
hyenas, cheetahs, creates, storks and falcons were likely
kept.
• Southern Mesopotamia - royal figures kept wild animals
• Neo - Assyrian Empire from the 9th to 7th centuries BC
lions were kept in enclosures and often were depicted in
wall reliefs.
• China between 2000-1000 BC - menageries of animals
and by 200 BC private menageries were kept including
birds, bears, tigers, alligators, rhinoceros, deer and
elephants.
• Ancient Greece, private menageries were also known.
The most famous was the one owned by Aristotle where
he kept a variety of animals for study.
• Roman period - as the Romanian Empire expanded
more exotic animals we’re collected.
• The Romans used animals in combat and and also used
them for pleasure in the colosseum - this was the
begging of exotic animals in public settings.
Why did they keep exotic animals?
• Religion
• Status
• Royalty
• Sacred/worshiped
• Symbolism
• Power
• Combat/war
• Entertainment
08/09/2022 10:07
Zoological collections - A collection of animals kept within an
establishment for an intended purpose. The include:
• Education
• Science
• Conservation
• Entertainment
Where it began
• Both ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (historic region of
Western Asia) had a concept of zoos developed in their
ancient societies by at least around 2500 BC
• Egypt - exotic animals such as antelopes, baboons,
hyenas, cheetahs, creates, storks and falcons were likely
kept.
• Southern Mesopotamia - royal figures kept wild animals
• Neo - Assyrian Empire from the 9th to 7th centuries BC
lions were kept in enclosures and often were depicted in
wall reliefs.
• China between 2000-1000 BC - menageries of animals
and by 200 BC private menageries were kept including
birds, bears, tigers, alligators, rhinoceros, deer and
elephants.
• Ancient Greece, private menageries were also known.
The most famous was the one owned by Aristotle where
he kept a variety of animals for study.
• Roman period - as the Romanian Empire expanded
more exotic animals we’re collected.
• The Romans used animals in combat and and also used
them for pleasure in the colosseum - this was the
begging of exotic animals in public settings.
Why did they keep exotic animals?
• Religion
• Status
• Royalty
• Sacred/worshiped
• Symbolism
• Power
• Combat/war
• Entertainment
