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You might think you already know what a zoo is. But if your last visit was during childhood—or if you haven’t been in years—you may be surprised by how much has changed.
If you’ve ever asked “What are zoos?” or wondered whether zoos still have a place in today’s world, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what zoos do, the different types of facilities that exist, how they care for animals, and why they matter more than ever.
Let’s start with the basics—and then go deeper.
A zoo is a facility where animals live under human care, most often for conservation, education, research, or rescue purposes. While older generations may remember zoos primarily as entertainment venues, modern zoos have evolved into institutions that support animal welfare, biodiversity, and public engagement with environmental issues.
In fact, many zoos today also operate as:
The term “zoo” is often used broadly, but there are multiple types of animal care facilities with different goals:
While their missions may vary, many of these facilities collaborate to promote animal welfare, scientific research, and species preservation.
Not all zoos are created equal. In fact, in places where laws are lacking, accreditation bodies step in to uphold rigorous animal care standards. These organizations include:
Accreditation includes multi-day inspections, welfare audits, and continuous improvement. Only facilities that pass strict criteria earn these designations.
One common myth is that zoos take animals from the wild. The truth is, most animals in accredited zoos are born in human care through carefully managed breeding programs.
These programs—called Species Survival Plans (SSPs)—ensure:
Zoos also maintain studbooks to track family trees, just like genealogists do for people. These tools help zoos act responsibly, supporting conservation goals rather than disrupting wild populations.
Sanctuaries and rescues, on the other hand, often care for confiscated pets, injured wildlife, or animals retired from other facilities.
Today’s zoos emphasize welfare over display. They invest in:
Animals are no longer kept in small cages. Instead, you’ll find habitats designed to mimic ecosystems, allowing for climbing, digging, foraging, and more.
At Zoolife, you can see this evolution in action, with livestream access to ethical zoos providing natural spaces for snow leopards, lemurs, birds of prey, and more.
Enrichment is the practice of enhancing an animal’s environment to encourage mental stimulation and natural behavior.
There are five types of enrichment:
Just like humans, animals thrive when mentally and physically engaged. Daily enrichment is now a standard in quality zoos.
One of the biggest roles modern zoos play is conservation education. Accredited zoos teach millions of people each year—especially students—about:
Through interactive programs, live expert talks, and hands-on science, zoos inspire people to care about protecting wild spaces.
On Zoolife.tv, you can watch daily expert Q&As, veterinary procedures, and keeper chats that bring this education straight to your home or classroom.
Zoos play a major role in saving species from extinction. Through:
For example, the AZA community alone contributes over $200 million annually to global conservation efforts, directly benefiting over 900 species.
Yes—and not just for animals in their care. Zoos:
Research from zoos helps improve animal care, inform environmental policy, and even impact human medicine.
Supporting reputable zoos, aquariums, and sanctuaries means you’re helping:
At Zoolife.tv, we partner only with facilities that meet high ethical standards—and give you a front-row seat to the impact they’re making.
Don’t worry—Zoolife is your closest zoo, no matter where you are.
Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, or animal lover, you can:
🌍 Ready to explore the modern zoo—without leaving home?
Start your journey at www.zoolife.tv