About Our Zoos

THE ZOO: A LEGACY OF CURIOSITY AND CARE

Man's fascination with wildlife, whether that wildlife is indigenous and familiar or foreign and exotic, spans centuries. Menageries, or simple displays of different animals in a small area, date back to the Middle Ages. Grander facilities confining the animals in larger enclosures which allowed them to be studied and bred became known as zoological gardens or Zoo's for short. The first zoo with a scientific and educational thrust was established in Paris in the late eighteenth century. London soon followed with its own zoo, then Melbourne, Australia and finally the United States with the Central Park Zoo in New York City in 1860. Today, zoos present accurate habitats where animals can roam and feel at home, providing enriching experiences to visiting humans and continued research opportunities for those who care for the creatures within.

Public and Animal Safety
Whether massive and boundless, or adequate and quaint, zoos need to keep the safety of the public, and the welfare of the animals in mind at all times. Members of the Wisconsin Zoo Association are no different. Barriers, be they naturally appealing moats or utilitarian fences, are maintained regularly, but the concerns go much deeper than simple and safe segregation of man from animal. It is the responsibility of each and every zoo to supply humane and professional care to all its animals and keep them physically and emotionally healthy. Enrichment programs are utilized challenging their thought processes, modifying their care and creating social groupings to keep them interactive. Training and positive reinforcement gets them to voluntarily participate in daily activities and allow general housekeeping so their simulated habitats remain clean, safe and humane.

Passing the Test
In the United States, any type of public animal exhibit must be licensed and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture. Local governments may require additional special licenses which must also be met. Zoos are also subject to regular inspection by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the EPA, OSHA and others. These inspections are due to concerns over disease potential and use of controlled drugs for veterinary purposes among others. All Wisconsin Zoo Association members proudly pass these regular evaluations, plus a vigorous inspection by the WZA itself before membership to the Association will be granted.

Come and See For Yourself
People are drawn to zoos for a number of reasons, whether it is a hunger for education, an afternoon's entertainment or the simple need to observe the serene grace of nature unfold on a sunny summer day. Whatever the need, the desire to conserve such natural elegance is stirred within us as we watch and learn with silent wonder. We get to interact in a sometimes gentle-sometimes feral world. And if that interaction awakens the conversationalist within, and instills a new concern, pride and appreciation for the animals with whom we share this planet, then we have moved beyond fascination toward a true love of all Mother Earth has to offer. Enrich yourself. Visit a Wisconsin Zoo!




Animals of the Zoo!
It is the responsibility of each and every zoo to supply humane and professional care to all its animals and keep them physically and emotionally healthy.