The History of Zoos

The History of Zoos

Ancient Egyptians and Romans brought animal specimens for collection, mainly for sport but also for War

Collections (or menageries) were status symbols for emperors/kings

Some species were sacred and sought for important sacrifice

4500BC - Captive Pigeons in Iraq
2500BC - Semi-domesticated Elephants in India
2500BC - several Antelope species in Egyptian collections
1500BC - capture and importation of non-domestic species for Egyptian Queen to add to collection

280BC - Alexandria Zoo (Greece):
96 elephants
24 lions
14 leopards
16 cheetahs
14 camels, giraffe, rhinos & others

1200'sAD - Zoo collections in Asia
1333AD - Menagerie in Louvre, Paris (Philip VI)
1519AD - Large zoo collection in Mexico (Montezuma II)
1700's - extensive development of zoos in Renaissance period

1800's - zoos opening all over world, esp Europe
Late 1800's - Victorian middle class trying to better themselves
Prestige developments in capital cities - "City Fathers"

Influential people:
Andrew H Green of New York City
Henry Fairfield Osborn - curator of American Museum of Natural History
Theodore Roosevelt - US President