Abstract
Throughout human history, humanity's relationship to nature and animals has changed. Zoos are a typical social construct that expresses and represents this relationship.
Therefore, this article reflects on their development and discusses the current state. For a long time, zoos acted anthropocentrically as a symbol of human control over nature (e. g. cages).
With the changes in society, the zoo roles and appearance changed. The 19th century zoos added research and education to their existing entertainment and recreation objectives, which were expanded to include nature conservation in the 20th century.
In scientifically managed zoos, these functions are currently being integrated - ideally into conservation edutainment. Adventure and ecocentric exhibits are created, in which barriers disappear and visitors immerse themselves in the environment of kept animals.
The conservation of species is newly perceived as more important than that of an individual. However, the current situation reflects co-evolutionary developments, which reflect the past, not just the latest trends.