Zoos have always reflected humankind's curiosity and intrigue about the animal kingdom. In several ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years, including Egypt, China and throughout Europe, caged wild animals were seen as divine representatives and sat next to the thrones of only the richest and most powerful. “Stone tablets found in the Sumerian city of Ur, dating to around 2300 BC, document the creation and management of the first known wildlife park” (Hamilton 2007). In ancient Egypt, for example, domesticated lions were often kept on the sides of pharaohs' thrones (Bostock 7). Even in 16th-century Europe, animal collecting among the wealthy was a popular sport. “King Manuel I of Portugal received monkeys and macaws from South America, gray parrots and baboons from Africa, and elephants, rhinoceroses, and cheetahs from India” (Bostock 24). Today, zoos often receive a lot of criticism for simply exhibiting wild animals purely for entertainment purposes and with no purpose of conservation or protection. Both zoos and aquariums have often been criticized for being unethical, and the premise of captivity is believed to be detrimental to the cause of conservation (Maple 5). However, zoos and aquariums reflect the responsibility to aid and promote the conservation and protection of animals. Without them, many may never have had the chance to see exotic animals such as tigers, elephants or giraffes up close to examine and learn about their nature. Without zoos, almost all of the best observational, behavioral, biological, or genetic research on different species would not have been possible. And, without zoos and the help of vital captive breeding and reintroduction programs with... middle of paper... ms, it is humanity's responsibility to continue to protect and save the animal kingdom. Bibliography Bostock, Stephan S. Zoos and animal rights: the ethics of keeping animals. London: Routledge, 1993. eBook."Conservation." Woodland Park Zoo. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 2014. Web.Conway, William G. “Capturing Time for Wild Animals with Zoos.” Zoo biology. 30.1 (2011): 1-8. Web.Hamilton, Gregory Scott. "Zoo." Encyclopedia of anthropology. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2007. Web.Maple, Terry L; Perdue, Bonnie M. Animal Welfare in the Zoo. Dordrecht: Springer, 2013. Ebook Library.Minteer, B.A. and J.P. Collins. “Ecological Ethics in Captivity: Balancing Values ​​and Responsibilities in Zoo and Aquarium Research in a Context of Rapid Global Change.” Ilar Journal. 54. 1 (2103): 41-51. Web."Reintroduction programs." Association of Zoos and Aquariums. AZA, 2009. Web.