Did you know that the oldest zoo in the United States (in operation since 1874) is the Philadelphia Zoo? And one of the biggest aquariums in the U.S. is located right here on the West Coast at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Oregon Zoo, situated on 64 acres in Portland, features over 2,500 animals and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors a year. Zoos and aquariums have been around for centuries, and they have often been the center of controversies. Some of the common and well-founded criticisms revolve around treatment of animals, space concerns, etc. But at their best, zoos and aquariums prioritize animal welfare, conservation, research, and education. June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month and we’re celebrating by featuring a diverse assortment of zoo and aquarium-related titles from our collection on our WU Reads Reading Guide.
For more information on zoos and aquariums see:
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (https://www.waza.org/)
Oregon Zoo (https://www.oregonzoo.org/)