Visiting a zoo is on the mind of every child. Zoo is abbreviation for zoological park. First use of word zoo dates back to 19th century when it was used as abbreviation for zoological gardens in London. Children often confuse exhibition of caged animals with zoo (zoological park). Only similarity between a zoological park and an exhibition of caged animals is captivity of animals. Enclosures are present in zoological parks to keep animals captive and similarly enclosures although far smaller are present in exhibitions of caged animals too to keep animals captive. Enclosures in exhibitions of caged animals are small cages but that’s not the case with zoological parks. Enclosures in zoos meant to keep animals captive have adequate living space while cages meant to keep animals captive in exhibitions of caged animals are small box like structures. This is the reason why exhibitions of caged animals are scheduled for short periods of time as survival of animals in small cage like enclosures is not possible for too long.

Although living conditions for animals in zoological parks are far better than in exhibitions of caged animals but still captivity is captivity. Children should enjoy visiting zoos but also understand the value of freedom using the opportunity. Most of the animals in the zoos are depressed due to lack of natural habitat. Administration takes care of all needs of animals but can’t provide natural habitat. A zoo is like a jail for animals and so animals residing in zoos behave like captives. This is why children tend to misunderstand animal behavior. They never become aware of natural behavior of animals.

Most people identify zoos as a place where collection of animals are kept captive. Long-established zoos are usually of this kind but some newer zoos exhibit particular groups of animals. Aquariums are special kind of zoos where fishes and marine mammals are kept. Zoos dedicated to primates, big cats and birds are common. Zoos dedicated to particular species are also present.

It has not been ascertained when first zoos were established but it seems that concept of zoos may have developed from early attempts to domesticate animals. Even today domesticated animals are often kept in cages. In a region that is in present day Iraq, pigeons were kept in captivity as early as 4500 BC. Elephants were domesticated in India as early as 2500 BC. In Greece collection of animals existed as early as 7th century BC.