In the Beginning...
- Zoos were first created as private collections by the wealthy as ways to show their wealth and power.
- During the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, the image of modern day zoos appeared.
- Zoos created during the Enlightenment period aimed their focus in extending Enlightenment science to zoology.
- Thus, the first "modern" zoos were meant to be places of scientific studies.
Today's LIVE Entertainment...
- Today's zoos have dramatically changed since the enactment of the 1973 Endangered Species Act (National Geographic).
- Zoos are now intended to serve the long term benefit of animals.
- Today's zoos also have a primary goal of entertaining and educating the public.
- Ultimately, although zoos might look different today from when they first began, they still serve as a form of human dominion of animals.
The Change in the Role of Animals
- One reason zoos exist is because humans have abused their dominion over nature and animals.
- Although zoos sometimes help animals (especially if they are endangered), they can also harm them since they are in a manmade habitat versus their natural habitat.
- Looking at situations for animals today, it is hard to believe that animals were once well respected, and held a spot with man at the center of the world (Berger).
- Today, animals are either "man's best friend," food, or zoo property.
- The loss in such a strong relationship between man and animal has created our since of dominion to exceed its breach of power.