Animal Care in Zoos

The earliest known zoo was the Park of Intelligence in the province Hunan, and it was started by Chinese ruler about 1150 B.C. Today, zoo facilities are too limited to 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 must be for large animals such as elephants; 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 conservations and nurture species that are in danger of becoming extinct.

Chinese New Year

The biggest and most popular of all Chinese festivals is The Chinese New Year, an exciting and colorful holiday. It falls anywhere between January 21 and February 19. The New Year is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world, and they parade through the streets and set off fireworks. People pay visits to friends to wish them luck and prosperity with a greeting that means “happy greetings and may you gather wealth.” On the final day of the year, preparations are made for a great New Year’s Eve supper. All doors are sealed with paper strips and no one may leave or enter until the next morning. Businesses are closed for days after the New Year begins. Children receive presents of money in red envelopes. No wonder they look forward to this festival.