Abstract
Zoos are an important part of the current leisure and tourism industry. Historically, zoos have changed from purely entertaining institutions to facilities aimed at raising and protecting animals.
However, current trends in their development point to the growing importance of zoos as entertainment facilities. The applied strategies, appearance, methods of animal presentation and methods of marketing of contemporary zoos are in many ways similar to theme parks.
The paper compares the historical development, the contemporary appearance and function of modern zoos and theme parks and draws attention to the significant similarities and differences between the concept of (post)modern zoo and the theme park using Prague Zoo as an example.