Zoo - Animal Care, Procurement, Conservation

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sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref8133"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/zoo/Procurement-and-care-of-animals">Procurement and care of animals</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref8134"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/science/zoo/Procurement-and-care-of-animals#ref8134">Funding</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/zoo/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/zoo">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/zoo/images-videos">Images & Videos</a> 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data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-student-links"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> For Students </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/summary/zoo"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.130.14" class="default " height="200" width="200"/> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/summary/zoo" >zoo summary</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-quizzes"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Quizzes </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/zoo" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction - Zoo</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/zoo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">National Geographic - Zoo</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/zoo/353956" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoo - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/zoo/276045" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoo - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: zoological garden, zoological park</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-22T00:00:00CST" >Nov 22, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/zoo/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also called: </dt> <dd>zoological garden or zoological park</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Marlin-Perkins" topicid="1668096">Marlin Perkins</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/animal/animal" topicid="25501">animal</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/open-range-zoo" topicid="429705">open-range zoo</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/childrens-zoo" topicid="111317">children’s zoo</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/menagerie" topicid="374635">menagerie</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/safari-park" topicid="516011">safari park</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/zoo"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vandarlur-zoo-to-tap-corporate-funds-for-better-upkeep-of-animals/article68893849.ece" rel="nofollow">Vandalur zoo to tap corporate funds for better upkeep of animals</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 21, 2024, 4:38 AM ET (The Hindu) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/little-boy-finds-unlikely-friendship-zoo-then-they-boogy-together-1987606" rel="nofollow">Little Boy Finds Unlikely Friendship at Zoo, Then They 'Boogy' Together</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 19, 2024, 2:14 AM ET (Newsweek) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/childrens-day-kids-get-free-entry-to-zoo-dasara-expo/article68868660.ece" rel="nofollow">Children’s Day: Kids get free entry to Zoo, Dasara expo</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 15, 2024, 2:06 AM ET (The Hindu) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1716591/around-nation-man-runs-350km-home-lunar-new-year" rel="nofollow">Around the nation: Man runs 350km home for Lunar New Year</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 5, 2024, 1:46 AM ET (South China Morning Post) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref8133">  <span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">It has been estimated that in a good modern <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="zoo" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/zoo" data-type="EB">zoo</a>, for every 20 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/animal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">animals</a> on display, only about 5 were bred in captivity, the remainder having been collected in the wild and usually purchased through dealers. Equally, for every <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/animal" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">animal</a> that ends up in a dealer’s hands, several others were probably killed in attempts at capture or died before they were sold to a zoo or other purchaser. In the interest of animal <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/conservation-ecology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">conservation</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/breeding" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">breeding</a> of captive animals is encouraged.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">On arrival, zoo animals are quarantined and acclimatized to their new surroundings. Information on proper <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/nutrition" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">nutrition</a> is exchanged between zoos directly or published in the <em>International Zoo Yearbook</em>. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/temperature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Temperature</a> and other environmental requirements are also studied. Certain <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/penguin" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">penguins</a>, for example, have to be kept in refrigerated rooms if they are to <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="thrive" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/thrive" data-type="EB">thrive</a> and breed. Adequate sleeping quarters, such as dens for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/fox-mammal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">foxes</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/wolf" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">wolves</a> or burrows for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/rodent" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">rodents</a>, also are provided.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h5"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref8134"> <h2 class="h1">Funding</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Zoos are funded in various ways. In the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> most zoos are supported partially or wholly out of public funds by the town, city, or state in which they are located. The <span id="ref275435"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/National-Zoological-Park" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">National Zoological Park</a>, in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-DC" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Washington, D.C.</a>, was founded by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congress</a> in 1889–90. Its site was purchased by the U.S. government, and running expenses are provided from public funds. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bronx-Zoo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zoological Park</a> in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bronx-borough-New-York-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bronx</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">New York City</a>, and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Philadelphia-Zoological-Gardens" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Philadelphia Zoological Garden</a> are managed by zoological societies. Both are supported partly by the subscriptions of members, partly by entrance fees, and partly by annual civic subsidies. In Britain most of the older zoos are maintained by zoological societies or trusts, all of which have an educational purpose. The running costs of the zoos are met by admission charges, membership subscriptions, and gifts and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="bequests" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequests" data-type="MW">bequests</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Most European zoos, especially those in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Germany</a>, are run as civic institutions, but, in addition, entrance fees are charged. Some famous zoos, including those in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cologne-Germany" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cologne</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Frankfurt-am-Main-City-Zoological-Garden" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Frankfurt</a>, are supported by the municipality but are run by zoological societies. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Paris-Zoo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paris zoo</a> is one of the many institutions directly supported by the French Ministry of Education, in the same way as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow-Zoo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Moscow zoo</a> is a state organization.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In a number of countries, zoo associations or federations have been set up. The largest of these is the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, founded in 1924. Other zoo federations include those of Great Britain and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ireland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ireland</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Spain</a> and Spanish America, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Japan</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Poland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Poland</a>, and Germany. Related organizations include the International Union of Directors of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/London-Zoo" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Zoological Gardens</a> and the Wild Animal <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Propagation" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Propagation" data-type="MW">Propagation</a> Trust. Federations generally have among their objects the gathering and dissemination of facts and information relating to the management of zoological parks, the maintenance and raising of standards in zoos, the facilitation of the exchange and importation of zoological specimens, and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/conservation-ecology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">conservation</a> of wildlife.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/animal-group-names" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/161265-131-DCC952FE/Sea-otter.jpg" alt="Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Animal Group Names</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span></section> <span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/John-P-Rafferty/6747">John P. 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