Zoos are born thanks to the enthusiasm of aristocrats, from the sixteenth century. Zoos are born thanks to the enthusiasm of aristocrats, from the sixteenth century. Possessing wild animals is a sign of luxury and unprecedented power. Possessing wild animals is a sign of luxury and unprecedented power. Since then, wild animals have invested in places other than the princely menageries and zoos have grown, multiplied and democratized. Since then, wild animals have invested in places other than the princely menageries and zoos have grown, multiplied and democratized. In several centuries, zoos have changed considerably, both in their aspects in their ambitions. In several centuries, zoos have changed considerably, both in their aspects in their ambitions.

XVI - XVI eighteenth centuries - eighteenth centuries
The aristocratic menageries The aristocratic menageries

Since the ancient times, it was in the habit to make wild animals for utilitarian purposes: for war or hunting or for aesthetics, in processions, parades or around the palace. Since the ancient times, it was in the habit to make wild animals for utilitarian purposes: for war or hunting or for aesthetics, in processions, parades or around the palace. There were depending on the region, exotic birds, lions or elephants. There were depending on the region, exotic birds, lions or elephants. Battles between wild animals and domestic animals were also organised in joy, it was rankings of the fittest. Battles between wild animals and domestic animals were also organised in joy, it was rankings of the fittest. It was the pleasure of a society still warrior. It was the pleasure of a society still warrior. Already on locally important species such nonexistent bears, lynx, lions, sometimes tigers and cheetahs and game, deer, deer ... Already on locally important species such nonexistent bears, lynx, lions, tigers and cheetahs sometimes and game, deer, deer ...
In the sixteenth century, aristocrats began to hold wild animals, which become the signs of wealth unmatched. In the sixteenth century, aristocrats began to hold wild animals, which become the signs of wealth unmatched. In Renaissance Italy, the seraglios (pen) are already widespread. In Renaissance Italy, the seraglios (pen) are already widespread. The great colonial empires such as Portugal, the Germanic Empire, France are quick to imitate the Italians and develop seraglios of the most sumptuous. The great colonial empires such as Portugal, the Germanic Empire, France are quick to imitate the Italians and develop seraglios of the most sumptuous. Sometimes, a few animals entering the royal apartments. Sometimes, a few animals entering the royal apartments. Francis 1, for example, sometimes with a sleeping lion at the foot of his bed. Francis 1, for example, sometimes with a sleeping lion at the foot of his bed. The exotic birds are highly sought after and collected in large numbers. The exotic birds are highly sought after and collected in large numbers. In the Menagerie Belvedere, which was founded in 1716 by Prince Eugene, for example, there were 59 species. In the Menagerie Belvedere, which was founded in 1716 by Prince Eugene, for example, there were 59 species. It also introduces plants and the creation of botanical gardens, at the same time. It also introduces plants and the creation of botanical gardens, at the same time.
These animals are often present powers of Eastern diplomatic gifts, donations or exchanges between European countries. These animals are often present powers of Eastern diplomatic gifts, donations or exchanges between European countries. They become a product of flourishing trade in these times of great discoveries and colonies. They become a product of flourishing trade in these times of great discoveries and settlements. It organizes expeditions with the aim of bringing pearls rare. It organizes expeditions with the aim of bringing pearls rare. But a big problem remains the high mortality of animals: acclimatization is difficult, transportation often lengthy and is in deplorable conditions. But a big problem remains the high mortality of animals: acclimatization is difficult, lengthy and often transportation is in deplorable conditions. All this creates huge costs that restricts these pleasures to the high aristocracy. All this creates huge costs that restricts these pleasures to the high aristocracy. Scientists also are interested in gradually. Scientists also are interested in gradually.
Starting from the end of the seventeenth century, it treats the staging of the gardens on the Italian model, and it set up menageries of sights, animals with unusual willing depending on the species. Starting from the end of the seventeenth century, it treats the staging of the gardens on the Italian model, and it set up menageries of sights, animals with unusual willing depending on the species. Such is the case at the French court at Versailles where spaces are expanding, such "court ostriches, birds, pelicans ... Such is the case at the French court at Versailles where spaces are expanding, such "short ostriches, birds, pelicans ... alongside pens with horses, deer, gazelles, expanded early eighteenth century by another series of courses with deer, poultry, lions, tigers, panthers ... Alongside pens with horses, deer, gazelles, expanded early eighteenth century by another series of courses with deer, poultry, lions, tigers, panthers ... menageries remain exclusively visited by guests. The menageries remain exclusively visited by guests. they celebrate the glory of the king, its pomp and its supremacy on foreign powers. They celebrate the glory of the king, its pomp and its supremacy on foreign powers. It is a way of dominating nature. It is a way of dominating nature.
In the eighteenth century, a small revolution is taking place. In the eighteenth century, a small revolution is taking place. The royal gardens are open to bourgeois. The royal gardens are open to bourgeois. The people are not invited but already discovered wild animals in shows and especially thanks to montreurs vendors who cross the regions and which stops at fairs. The people are not invited but already discovered wild animals in shows and especially thanks to montreurs vendors who cross the regions and which stops at fairs. Soon small menageries will be set up in some cities, such as Amsterdam. Soon small menageries will be set up in some cities, such as Amsterdam. They have been big hits. They have been big hits. The public loves animals especially monstrous, fighting bears ... The public loves animals especially monstrous, fighting bears ... And this is what he offers. And this is what he offers.

Nineteenth century XIX century
The first public zoos The first public zoos

 

 

Based on the success of menageries in the cities, but also in a desire for scientific study of wild animals, naturalists create, in 1794, in Paris, France, an institution in the service of the nation: the Jardin des Plantes. Based on the success of menageries in the cities, but also in a desire for scientific study of wild animals, naturalists create, in 1794, in Paris, France, an institution in the service of the nation: the Jardin des Plantes. There is a house of monkeys and birds, tanks Bear, a rotunda for elephants and giraffes, a building ferocious animals ... There is a house of monkeys and birds, tanks Bear, a rotunda for elephants and giraffes, a building ferocious animals ... It was from space and on the landscape carefully. It was from space and on the landscape carefully. It created dénivellements, planting trees, bushes, we construct basins, wooden cottages. It created dénivellements, planting trees, bushes, we construct basins, wooden cottages. It establishes a system for weaved through the aisles together: a real garden at the French! It establishes a system for weaved through the aisles together: a real garden at the French!
The first time you enter the garden only with the written consent of a scholar. The first time you enter the garden only with the written consent of a scholar. A year later, faced with the influx of applications, it relaxes restrictions: four days of the week are reserved for students of the Museum as well as artists and the other three days are open to the public excited. A year later, faced with the influx of applications, it relaxes restrictions: four days of the week are reserved for students of the Museum as well as artists and the other three days are open to the public excited.
This pattern is repeated throughout Europe in the nineteenth century: in Madrid, in Potsdam in 1822 and Regent's Park in London in 1828. This pattern is repeated throughout Europe in the nineteenth century: in Madrid, in Potsdam in 1822 and Regent's Park in London in 1828. We are beginning to talk about zoos, a term that comes from the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, then becomes more widespread, and in the early twentieth century, we finally adopt the "zoo." We are beginning to talk about zoos, term that comes from the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, then becomes more widespread, and in the early twentieth century, we finally adopt the "zoo".
It focuses on the content, rather than zoology space. It focuses on the content, rather than zoology space. The opening to a wider audience is growing everywhere but in several stages. The opening to a wider audience is growing everywhere but in several stages. In London, access is primarily limited to members of the Zoological Society, for the first 20 years. In London, access is limited primarily to members of the Zoological Society, for the first 20 years. Only a few foreigners are allowed this week, upon presentation of a ticket for a recommendation signed by a company and at a shilling. Only a few foreigners are allowed this week, upon presentation of a ticket for a recommendation signed by a company and at a shilling. Then, little by little, we realize that we must return on the costs incurred and we open the gardens at all. Then, little by little, we realize that we must return on the costs incurred and we open the gardens at all. Those who renounce not slow to go bankrupt. Those who renounce not slow to go bankrupt.
At the same time, the royal menageries are disputed. At the same time, the royal menageries are disputed. It seems incredible to feed animals while people are dying of hunger. It seems incredible to feed animals while people are dying of hunger. Only a few aristocrats, artists or nostalgic colonial keep big cats at the foot of their beds. Only a few aristocrats, artists or nostalgic colonial keep big cats at the foot of their beds. For example Sarah Bernhardt, who had a puma around 1895 or Cecile Sorel who had a lion in 1880. For example Sarah Bernhardt, who had a puma around 1895 or Cecile Sorel who had a lion in 1880.
The exhibition of wild animals on the streets is gradually prohibited and the fighting of animals are abandoned. The exhibition of wild animals on the streets is gradually prohibited and the fighting of animals are abandoned. Only the remaining bear trainers, montreurs about fairs and small travelling menageries of 5 to 10 animals, which are proliferating. Only the remaining bear trainers, montreurs about fairs and small travelling menageries of 5 to 10 animals, which are proliferating.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, zoos are experiencing major changes, reject nudity and the small size of cages. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, zoos are experiencing major changes, reject nudity and the small size of cages. We discover the aviaries, for example, the first of which was founded in Rotterdam in 1880, with land earth or grass, trees or shrubs, nesting and shelter; increase their size in order to steal a bit or deploy its wings. We discover the aviaries, for example, the first of which was founded in Rotterdam in 1880, with land earth or grass, trees or shrubs, nesting and shelter; increase their size in order to steal a bit or deploy its wings. All loges give an illusion of nature and provide more space for a few years. All loges give an illusion of nature and provide more space for a few years. It Berlin and London to set the example. It Berlin and London to set the example. It was the desire to acclimatize and domesticate animals, but with more respect than they used to. It was the desire to acclimatize and domesticate animals, but with more respect than they used to. The Animal Humane Society (APS) was founded in 1845 in Paris, is committed to that end. The Animal Humane Society (APS) was founded in 1845 in Paris, is committed to that end.
The primary objective is entertainment and instruction of crowds. The primary objective is entertainment and instruction of crowds. We must continually satisfy the mass audience, rehabilitate regularly and continuously acquire new species. We must continually satisfy the mass audience, rehabilitate regularly and continuously acquire new species. We made tremendous efforts to demonstrate species, for example, we place the most valued in the centre of the gardens. We made tremendous efforts to demonstrate species, for example, we place the most valued in the centre of the gardens. Some Egyptian temples, in Antwerp in 1856, or Indian pagodas in the Berlin Zoo, were built for more exotic. Some Egyptian temples, in Antwerp in 1856, or Indian pagodas in the Berlin Zoo, were built for more exotic. The public wants curious beasts, wild, ferocious, especially very different from European, it wants to get away and dreaming of distant lands. The public wants curious beasts, wild, ferocious, especially very different from European, it wants to get away and dreaming of distant lands.

Twentieth Century Twentieth Century
Imitating nature Imitating nature

In the twentieth century, zoos rapidly growing attendance. In the twentieth century, zoos rapidly growing attendance. They become a popular choice of entertainment, while the standard of living increases, as well as training and free time. They become a popular choice of entertainment, while the standard of living increases, as well as training and free time. The public wants to coexist and learn more about their animals, be in communion with nature. The public wants to coexist and learn more about their animals, be in communion with nature. He wants to discover their living conditions, their behaviors, their sociability. He wants to discover their living conditions, their behaviors, their sociability. Thus, zoos soon forsake personal exposure now and show animals as a group, replenish social structures and ways of living. Thus, zoos soon forsake personal exposure now and show animals as a group, replenish social structures and ways of living.
It limits the maximum barriers between spectators and the animals in zoos without creating bars from 1907, which were a success. It limits the maximum barriers between spectators and the animals in zoos without creating bars from 1907, which were a success. It Stellingen, a private zoo in the suburbs of Hamburg, which launched its kind in break with the past. It Stellingen, a private zoo in the suburbs of Hamburg, which launched its kind in break with the past. To keep the animals in freedom, we can imagine new developments. To keep the animals in freedom, we can imagine new developments. On digging pits with a width of 5 to 6 meters with steep slopes, as the animals can not leave. On digging pits with a width of 5 to 6 meters with steep slopes, as the animals can not leave. Neither cage, or grid, or bars, sometimes pens are islands, for example monkeys. Neither cage, or grid, or bars, sometimes pens are islands, for example monkeys. The animals are circulating in a natural setting, the wolves have their cavern. The animals are circulating in a natural setting, the wolves have their cavern. Fake rocks 50 meters high dominate the site, and offer a side with a landscape polar bears and on the other, a garden equatorial lake with almost 500 waterfowl and herbivores. Fake rocks 50 meters high dominate the site, and offer a side with a landscape polar bears and on the other, a garden equatorial lake with almost 500 waterfowl and herbivores. It retains all the same cages for carnivorous and windows for snakes, and some birds are glued to the rocks by chains. It retains all the same cages for carnivorous and windows for snakes, and some birds are glued to the rocks by chains. Soon, the park is criticized. Soon, the park is criticized. Many monkeys drown, pachyderms are injured on the walls, attracted by the public, or to kill. Many monkeys drown, pachyderms are injured on the walls, attracted by the public, or to kill. It will nevertheless triggered a new kind will be reflected in Rome, in Vincennes, famous for its rock 67 metres high. It will nevertheless triggered a new kind will be reflected in Rome, in Vincennes, famous for its rock 67 metres high.
Parking large area grow from between two wars, as in Clères in France, Hellabrunn near Munich (1928) on a fleet of 50 hectares, or in Nuremberg on 60 hectares. Parking large area grow from between two wars, as in Clères in France, Hellabrunn near Munich (1928) on a fleet of 50 hectares, or in Nuremberg on 60 hectares. Whipsnade opened in 1931, northwest of London, offered 200 hectares. Whipsnade opened in 1931, northwest of London, offered 200 hectares. The most perfect imitation of nature becomes the main objective. The most perfect imitation of nature becomes the main objective.
The idea of educating the people at the zoo reached its peak between the wars. The idea of educating the people at the zoo reached its peak between the wars. By contrast, the notables lose little by little this time become too popular. By contrast, the notables lose little by little this time become too popular. A literature on the lives of zoos and wildlife develops. A literature on the lives of zoos and wildlife develops. It is the time of bestsellers like The Jungle Book. It is the time of bestsellers like The Jungle Book. Many animal movies including Walt Disney win as a great success. Many animal movies including Walt Disney win as a great success. The beast is a true friend. The beast is a true friend. Companies friends zoos, associations for the protection of animals and animal magazines are multiplying. Companies friends zoos, associations for the protection of animals and animal magazines are multiplying.
In the 1960's, in the great movement of questioning of capitalism, it condemns the looting of the Third World, and, at the same time, zoos, said no respect for nature and animals. In the 1960's, in the great movement of questioning of capitalism, it condemns the looting of the Third World, and, at the same time, zoos, said no respect for nature and animals. It proclaims in 1978, UNESCO, the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the animal. It proclaims in 1978, UNESCO, the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the animal. To combat the obsolescence of some zoos, control legislation is passed in a few countries, in 1981 in Great Britain, France in 1976 where we established prior authorization before opening, but its effects are limited. To combat the obsolescence of some zoos, control legislation is passed in a few countries, in 1981 in Great Britain, France in 1976 where we established prior authorization before opening, but its effects are limited. Zoos abandon the training and taming order to set themselves apart circuses that are very fairly and discreditable things of life: food, health care, games, reproduction. Zoos neglect the training and taming order to set themselves apart circuses that are very fairly and discreditable things of life: food, health care, games, reproduction.
Parks parole experiencing tremendous growth, especially in the urban periphery and in areas of summer tourism. Parks floor experiencing tremendous growth, especially in the urban periphery and in areas of summer tourism. On visiting the parks in an automobile, in boats, as in the "safari". On visiting the parks in an automobile, in boats, as in the "safari". On this model, will be one of the first Thoiry, established in 1968. On this model, will be one of the first Thoiry, established in 1968.
In the 1970 decade, the widespread use of glass, we discover also nocturamas, lighting reversing day and night, making it possible to discover the nocturnal animals. In the 1970 decade, the widespread use of glass, we also discover nocturamas, lighting reversing day and night, making it possible to discover the nocturnal animals. Some zoos install bungalows observation windows above pen. Some zoos install bungalows observation windows above pen. It innovates forever. It innovates forever.
Finally, in the years 1980-1990, polls show that a large proportion of the European population (81% in England in 1980) was opposed to the confinement of animals and refuse to go to the zoo. Finally, in the years 1980-1990, polls show that a large proportion of the European population (81% in England in 1980) was opposed to the confinement of animals and refuses to go to the zoo. But zoos are good and fit. But zoos are good and fit. Before the competition, many of them specialize: aquariums, marineland, vivariums, bird reserves, parks local wildlife or farm animals ... Before the competition, many of them specialize: aquariums, marineland, aquariums, bird reserves, parks local wildlife or farm animals ...
Today, zoos are committed to a new role: the conservation of species into extinction. Today, zoos are committed to a new role: the conservation of species into extinction. They are turning to global associations to draw up plans for survival and attempt the reintroduction of certain species in the wild. They are turning to global associations to draw up plans for survival and attempt the reintroduction of certain species in the wild.