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2500 BCE
Animal collection in Egypt
hieroglyphs of captive antelopes, baboons, hyenas, cheetahs, cranes, storks and falcons were found in a cemetery. At this time, exotic animals were kept by royalty. -
2000 BCE
Walled parks in China
Walled parks housed animals but they were not public. -
1100
Henry 1 royal menagerie
He kept lions, leopards, lynxes, camels, owls and a porcupine at his palace, building on his father (William the Conqueror's) collection. -
Period: 1210 to
Tower of London menagerie
King John used the tower around 1210 to house a range of animals, including lions. In following years he was gifted many animals, notably leopards and a polar bear. Animals were used as diplomatic gifts and displays of power. In 1255 an elephant arrived as a trophy from the crusades. This was both symbolic of military power and became a public spectacle. The collection continued through several kings, eventually becoming a public zoo and then the animals were moved to the newly formed London zoo -
Versailles menegerie
Louis XIV was part of the move away from exhibiting animal fights to more peaceful collections. His menagerie was open to the paying public, with music, dining, beautiful architecture and sculptures referencing Aesop's fables, showing animals as symbolic. notably animals were not only gifted to the gardens, but widely collected for them. The animals were also more categorised than previous collections. -
London zoo
London zoo showed a more scientific aim in keeping animals. In 1828 it was opened to fellows of the zoological organisation and the paying public when recommended by a fellow. Sir Charles Darwin became a fellow of the zoo. In 1831 the collection of animals in the tower was given to the zoo but it wasn't until 1847 that the public could pay to enter without an order from a fellow. -
Dublin zoo
The zoo was initially ran by volunteers and relied on entry fees and membership until 1854 when a government grant was received. While the animals were studied from the start of the zoo, the zoo was still human focused with poor conditions to make easier viewing. However the zoo evolved over time to better standards of welfare and still continues to. -
Central park zoo
Central park's zoo started with people abandoning animals, including a bear cub, in the park. It gained many exotic animal over time, notably also a tiglon. In 1934 they had to make changes to the zoo fast as animals were being kept in very poor conditions. However it declined again in the 1960s and was run by the New York zoological society from the 80s with some large animals removed, but others kept due to public demand. It was then rebuilt to remove cages. -
Jersey Zoo
Founded by naturalist Gerald Durrell with a focus on conservation and housing endangered species rather than entertainment. The zoo worked in the drive to breed and reintroduce przewalski's horse and the mauritius kestrel. -
BIAZA
Founded with 9 zoos and bird gardens to set standardised principles and practices in animal management and inspect zoos