I wish to find out what the global definition of a zoo is. i.e. what is a zoo designed to do.
198731
A zoo is a public or private park where living animals are kept for exhibition and study. The menageries and aviaries of China, Egypt, and Rome were famous in ancient times. From the late medieval period many rulers had private menageries, some of which later formed the nucleus of public exhibits. Nearly all large cities now have zoological reserves. Notable ones include those of London (Regent's Park), Paris (Jardin des Plantes and Jardin d'Acclimatation, Bois de Boulogne), Berlin (Tiergarten), Toronto (Metro), New York City (Bronx), Chicago (Lincoln Park and Brookfield), Cincinnati, Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and San Diego (Balboa Park). Modern trends include breeding endangered animals in captivity (some have been reintroduced into the wild), exhibiting animals in enclosures simulating their natural habitat rather than in cages (open-range zones or safari parks), and educating the public about the principles of ecology.
352041
Something to do with open spaces.  \nOutside.\nDesign.
33446
First education.  Especially where animal habitat is involved.  The first site below list several good resources.\nSecond, group action.  This is very important in both the developed countries as well as third world nations.\nFinally, human population reduction or at least stability.  This is the most important in countries like the United States where one child can use more resources than a whole village in another part of the world.
567367
Your question doesn't make sense.  You are choosing behaviors that are dog behaviors and then asking why they are unique.  Different species have different behaviors.  There are things that humans do that no other animal does too.
620887
I have a similar aspiration, which is why I earned my degree in biology, emphasizing on zoological sciences.  The idea is nice, but there is far more hard work involved than what you see on television.\n\nThe earlier recommendation of searching aza.org is good.  Also, check certain state and federal postings for any job openings or volunteer work.  It will also help you understand the not-so-enjoyable side to this concept.\n\nLike I mentioned earlier, get a degree.  A Bachelor's in Science has more clout with employers and prospective interested parties than not having a degree at all.  The same can be said for higher levels of degrees (Masters, Ph.D.).  Also, really look into what area of zoology you want to focus on.  Jeff Corwin, Steve Irwin, Michael O'Shea, and Nigel Marvin don't know every single species on the planet, but they either do research or focus on what they specialize in.  It would be best if you did the same.\n\nI wish you luck.
93188
The only zoo Ive been to is the San Diego Zoo, I grew up about 5 miles from it, its supposed to be the very best although I have nothing to compare it to. They have some really great exibits, Tiger River, primate exibits, panda bears, beautiful bird aviarys and I love the childrens zoo. They are great with the primates, they move the exibit around and add and remove tree branches and things to keep them from getting bored, and they walk wolfs and other animals around the park so if your lucky you can get a close look at them.
155280
you should do your research paper on animals. They are always interesting.
271996
The zoo is like, so restricted, yet you get all the health benefits and care. But in the wild, you get to like, run free, but always on the look-out for humans. It's a choice I'm happy I don't have to make.  Good luck!
580001
I think you'll find what you need here:\nhttp://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/atoz.html\nGood luck!
466741
http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/\nhttp://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/\nhttp://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/EndangeredSpecies/\nhttp://www.panda.org/about_wwf/who_we_are/index.cfm
673820
Most zoos require a Bachelor degee in Zoology to work as a keeper.  Zoo and Bio majors have very similar classes (at least they did at my university)  Includes lots of chemistry, physics, and upper division classes such as entomology, ornithology, mammalogy, animal physiology, animal behavior, etc.  Volunteering at a zoo will help you out a lot, the hands on experience is very valuable.  Good Luck.
565817
Not exactly, some animals can't live in the wild because they are weak, ect., and if we set zoo animals free they would not be used to the wild. But some animals are abused and mis treated in the zoo. I.E. Elephants in Tucson Zoo. Great Question!
258731
There are many different criteria that zoos use, and not all zoos use the same criteria.\n\nSome zoos concentrate primarily on conservation, and so their animal selection would be based on improving the breeding success of rare, endangered or threatened species.  This is dependent on what kind of room and habitats are available at the zoos, as well as the expertise available in their staff.\n\nOther zoos may concentrate on education and local conservation, concentrating their species collections on local species, in order to give average citizens an idea of the kinds of animals that occur in their region.\n\nSome zoos have a specific theme, such as polar animals, sea life or African savanna animals, and base their acquisition decisions on those criteria first.\n\nThere are also zoos that have heritage animals, that may not fit into their current mandate, but are left over from previous incarnations and administrations at the zoo, and so the polar park may still have a pair of cheetahs that have been at the zoo since they were born.\n\nMost zoos have a combination of all of these factors.  There are some species that are there for conservation purposes, some popular animals that bring in the crowds and help fund the conservation programs, some domestic animals because they're relatively easy to keep and provide some educational and 'hands-on' opportunities (i.e. petting zoos, donkey rides), some animals that are friendly and outgoing and popular with kids, some that are weird or fascinating, and maybe some that are the chief administrator's favourite animal, and he's doing research on binturong climbing physiology or something.
37426
patzky99 wrote:\n\ni had read an earlier answer about how we use descriptions of animals' behavior to apply to humans. i'll check back and see if i can find it...\n\nwell of course i can't now. if i recall the gist of it was that we lump some of our 'worst' behaviors along with animals... so you get a 'wolf whistle', or a person or a movie is a 'real dog', or someone is 'crazy like a fox'. some positive behaviors can be ascribed too, 'proud as a peacock' or 'busy as a bee'. perhaps these phrases are just an extension of the days when we assigned human characteristics to the animal world.\n\nwho was that guy who was 'acting like a loon'?  thanks for the 2nd chance :)
144878
i have listed two sites for you that i think are the most helpful, my personal favorite being wikipedia.  i don't know what exactly you are writing about, but these sites have all the general information about the monkey
377525
http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/donkey-elephant.html
81737
Go to the Zoo, if there is one near you.