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Zoos are great! They’re fun, educational and unique-- where the heck else can you find a zebra and a walrus on the same continent-- but they haven’t been around forever.
The first zoo on record was the private zoo of Shulgi, the ruler of the city state of Ur (which was located in the country that is now known as Iraq). This zoo was for royal eyes only and consisted mostly of animals that were locally well-known. The first true zoo (available to the public and containing “exotic” animals) was in ancient Egypt, under the oversight of Queen Hatshepsut. The zoo was said to have been very impressive, and included specimens from all over Africa, which we know from the many drawings of the place that still exist depicting its many animals and their keepers. Many historians interpret these drawings as a sign of respect, and as an important portrayal of something unusual for the time. Later, zoos became a Noblesse Oblige-- or a duty that nobles viewed they owed the common people they ruled over, not unlike the “bread and circuses” of ancient Rome. There are many histories of these elaborate and well-stocked zoos throughout the ancient world, such as the zoo maintained by the Chinese Emperor Wen Wang (541-634 C.E.) that was over 1,500 acres in size, and featured animals from all over the then far-flung Chinese empire. Wang’s zoo was called the Garden of Intelligence, probably to attract customers, as intelligence was widely admired (and often rewarded) in the Chinese Empire of the time. The oldest zoo still in operation today is the Tiergarten Schonbrun in Vienna, Austria which was built in 1752-- that’s 24 years before the American Revolution! It was built in honor of Maria Thersea, wife of Emperor Francis I of Austria. This zoo obtained animals from all over the world, including the “exotic” British Colonies of the time-- including animals from colonies that would later become the United States-- and was noted for having the first giraffe ever brought to Europe. We’re fortunate nowadays. Zoos are common, and exist in most metropolitan areas in the world, with affordable admission, so all of us can experience the wonder of the world’s many amazing animals, no matter where we live. Don’t take it for granted! This is an opportunity very few generations of humans have ever had! So get to your local zoo and enjoy the perks of growing up in the 21st Century! |
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GLOSSARY
“Bread and Circuses” a political or societal philosphy by those in power used to control common people by keeping them “fed and happy” with meaningless entertainment; most notably used in Ancient Rome.
Garden of Intelligence (or Ling-yu) ancient Chinese zoo created by King Wen of Zhou.
Metropolitan area in and around a large city.
Noblesse Oblige an assumed responsibility by the wealthy and privileged to give to those with less privilege.
Queen Hatshepsut fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, who came to power in 1478 BC.
Shulgi second king of the Third Dynasty of Ur, a Summerian city that was part of Messopotamia, and was located in what is now modern Iraq.
Tiergarten Schonbrun the world’s largest continuing running zoo, located in Vienna, Austria, and in operation since 1752.
Garden of Intelligence (or Ling-yu) ancient Chinese zoo created by King Wen of Zhou.
Metropolitan area in and around a large city.
Noblesse Oblige an assumed responsibility by the wealthy and privileged to give to those with less privilege.
Queen Hatshepsut fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, who came to power in 1478 BC.
Shulgi second king of the Third Dynasty of Ur, a Summerian city that was part of Messopotamia, and was located in what is now modern Iraq.
Tiergarten Schonbrun the world’s largest continuing running zoo, located in Vienna, Austria, and in operation since 1752.
