ZOO

 In order to fully enter into the definition of the term zoo, we are going to start by establishing its etymological origin. In this case, we have to underline that it derives from the Greek, more specifically from the sum of the following components:

-The noun “zoo”, which can be translated as “animal”.

-The word "logos", which means "study".

-The suffix “-ikos”, which is equivalent to “relative to”.

Zoo is an adjective that is used to name what is linked to zoology, which is the science that is dedicated to studying animals. The term, however, is often used as a noun to name the zoo (also known as a zoological garden ).

In this sense, a zoo is a space where animals are raised and cared for to be exhibited to the public. These venues combine leisure with teaching , as they tend to entertain and, at the same time, educate visitors. Also, when they are in private hands, they seek an economic profit from their operation.

There are over a thousand zoos around the world. The first modern establishment of this type was the Vienna Zoo, which opened in the mid- 18th century. Until then, there were private collections of animals , usually created by monarchs.

From that time on, zoos multiplied, although their characteristics changed over the years. For a long time, the animals were kept in cages . Later, thanks to a greater awareness of animal rights and the need to avoid cruelty, zoos began to try to reproduce the natural habitat of each species, as a way to provide greater well-being to the captive specimens.

At this time we can say that among the most important zoos in the world, by animal variety, singularity or extension, are the following:

-Moscow Zoo. It was put into operation already in the second half of the 19th century and is considered one of the oldest in the entire European continent. It has about 21 hectares and has more than 1,000 different species.

-Singapore Zoo. It has a total of 28 hectares and its peculiarity is that it comes to recreate each and every one of the habitats of the animals it houses. Hence, whoever visits it can see both deserts and jungles passing through steppes in situ. Currently it has more than 315 different animal species.

-Henry Doorly Zoo. This other zoo is located in Omaha, United States, which is considered the largest on the planet both because of its size, 56 hectares, and because it houses around 960 different species. Not to mention that another singularity that it has is the most extensive cat area.

To this list should also be added the Beijing Zoo and the Bronx Zoo.

Currently there is a strong movement that demands the closure of all zoos and the return of animals to their natural state for ethical reasons, because it is considered that no species should live deprived of their freedom . There are also groups that, however, still defend these places for their contribution to the protection of endangered species.