ANIMAL CARE IN ZOOS

The earliest known zoo was the Park of Intelligence in the province of Hunan and it was started by a Chinese ruler about 1150 B.C. Today, zoo facilities are limited and zookeepers cannot keep every animal on display year-round. In the winter in colder climates, most birds must be brought indoors but zookeepers cannot always keep each bird on view for the public. Although many visitors are surprised to see that some animals remain outside all year, penguins,polar bears and timber wolves are happy outdoors in wintertime. Some animals are always indoors in northern areas;for example, reptiles and small desert animals always have indoor displays. Zookeepers must provide indoor shelters for large animals such as elephants, imagine how large those shelters must be! Today, zoologists understand much more about animal behavior and zoos are being designed that are similar to the animals' natural habitats. Viewers can closely observe animals at animal parks, where animals roam free. Zoo kitchens keep a wide variety of foods which are used to prepare meals that meet each animal's nutritional needs. Zoos contribute to wildlife conservation and nurture species that are in danger of becoming extinct.