National Zoo Lovers Day
National Zoo Lovers Day, celebrated on April 8 in the U.S. brings all the zoo animal enthusiasts together to celebrate this significant day! Do you know how many animals were saved by zoos from going extinct? Yes, zoos are more than just conservation sites for endangered species, they also provide educational, research, and entertainment purposes. We can trace the history of zoos back to 4000 B.C. If you love animals, then this holiday is just for you. Visit a zoo nearby to find out about your favorite animals; you can also ask to volunteer at a zoo!
History of National Zoo Lovers Day
In the 7th century B.C, the Greeks had the habit of caging animals. ‘Alexander the Great’ sent many animals caught on his military expeditions to Greece. The earlier Egyptian and Asian zoos were kept mainly for public visitors and secondarily used for research purposes. During the 4th century B.C., the Greeks were more concerned with the research and experiment of captivated animals. The Romans had two different animal collections for arena and research objectives.
After the Roman Empire, zoos faced a downfall, but some private collections existed by Emperor Charlemagne in the eighth century and Henry I in the 12th century. King Philip VI had a menagerie in the Louvre, Paris, in 1333. Many members of the house of Bourbon had animal collections at Versailles. Later in 1519, a zoo was discovered in Mexico, which habituated birds, mammals, and reptiles. It was maintained by 300 zookeepers. In 1752, the Imperial Menagerie was founded at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna as the first modern-day zoo.
In 1828, two years after the Zoological Society of London was founded, the collection was created in Regent’s Park. By the mid 19th century, zoos were established worldwide. Among the existing zoos of today, more than 40 zoos are 100 years old. Most of these old zoos are in Europe. Since the end of World War II, there has been a fast and worldwide growth of zoos, many of which serve the purpose of public entertainment and economic gain rather than animal research. The exact number of public animal collections across the world today is unknown, although it is believed to be in the thousands.
National Zoo Lovers Day timeline
3500 B.C.
Hierakonpolis Zoo
The strange animal remains discovered near Hierakonpolis, Egypt's ancient capital, suggest the existence of a huge, exotic predynastic zoo.
1500 B.C.
First Real Zoo
Queen Hatshepsut establishes the first real zoo in Egypt.
30 B.C.
The Rise Of Private Zoos
From the shreds of evidence found in Egypt and Mesopotamia, private zoos show status among the wealthy in Rome.
1874
America’s First Zoo
America’s first zoo opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
National Zoo Lovers Day FAQs
Why do we need zoos?
Zoological gardens are needed to preserve biodiversity. Zoos provide a home to exotic endangered animals and have a history of saving many animals from being extinct.
Why are pet animals not allowed in the zoo?
Pet animals are not allowed in the zoo for various reasons. It can affect the health of zoo animals. Pet animals can be agitated by strange sounds, sights, and smells, which can bring out harm to anyone around.
Can I bring home the adopted animal?
Unfortunately, you cannot. The animals in the zoo cannot be brought up in a domestic household. You will be providing financial support for the animal you have adopted.
How to Celebrate National Zoo Lovers Day
Volunteer: Well, the greatest pleasure you can gain on National Zoo Lovers Day is by volunteering at a local zoo. It is a great opportunity to have a close observation of animals.
A family picnic: A great occasion to have an interesting yet informative family picnic. Take this opportunity to explore unique and exotic animals. You could also share some pictures on social media, spreading the word!
Adopt animals: Many zoos across the world provide animal adoption programs. You can show your love for conserving unique and exotic animals by adopting animals in zoos.
5 Fun Facts About Zoos That’s Sounds Too Good To Be True
Morning walks: Chendra, an Asian elephant in Oregon Zoo, likes to take a morning walk to meet her fellow zoo mates.
Entrance fee: 1/160th of a pound was charged as a zoo entrance fee at The Tower of London back in the 18th century; alternatively, visitors can also provide cats or dogs to feed the lions.
A valorous German Shepard: In 1987, a German Shepherd guard dog defeated an escaped Jaguar in Belgrade Zoo — in this valorous action, the dog saved the life of a zoo employee.
Giant pandas: China contains the ownership of all giant pandas worldwide and they are loaned to other countries at a rental price of one million dollars per pair, per year to raise funds for conservation programs in China.
Disk-throwing chimp: In Sweden, a 30-year-old chimp at Furuvik Zoo collects concrete disks to throw at the visitors.
Why We Love National Zoo Lovers Day
Fun-filled knowledge: National Zoo Lovers day reminds us to explore our local zoos. Every year, millions of people visit zoos and learn about many animals. It also provides a great opportunity for friends and families to have a fun time learning together.
Conserving the endangered: One great thing about zoos is conserving the species at the risk of extinction. An imbalance in biodiversity can bring a disastrous impact on the ecosystem. It reminds us of our responsibility towards nature.
Animal welfare: A wonderful day to remind animal enthusiasts to play their part in animal welfare. An opportunity for providing a large platform to gather support across the world.
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