I thought I had better start a thread rather than hijack the tourist attraction thread.

Living in Jersey as I do, I know that some 'zoos' perform a valuable service to the animals of the world in promoting breeding programmes and releasing endangered species back into the wild. Apart from this vital work, they give us the opportunity to view animals which we might never otherwise see. Providing the zoos are run correctly and the animals are well cared for, I think zoos are wonderful places.

I mentioned in the other thread that I went to Kenya and Tanzania and then came home and spent a day at Longleat in order to see some lions, having seen none on my safari. I did see a couple of wild cheetahs in Nairobi National Park, but I don't recall seeing much else there.

Tsavo National Park was home to lots of elephants, and I mean lots. I also saw lots of zebras, giraffes and antelope.

I wonder how many Chinese people have seen giant pandas outside a zoo, not many I would guess. I remember being in awe as I saw one in London zoo.

In these days of websites and webcams we can view many animals but seeing them in the flesh is a whole new ballgame.

I have never seen a live badger, I would love to see one. In fact there must be plenty of British wild animals I have never seen. One British animal I have seen lately is a red squirrel, I am fortunate to live in an island where they have not be ousted by grey squirrels, in fact we have none of the latter although I saw one up close in Sheffield last year.

I live where there is an abundance of kangaroos and emus plus other natives but I've never seen a live koala in the wild so only get the chance at zoos.

I love open range zoos but I think I'd prefer not to go to a 'cage' zoo. There is one in my state called the Western Plains Zoo and it's just great. Hire a bike, moke, walk or take you own car on a trip around the the world as all the animals are sorted by continent.

I enjoy a visit to the zoo. I, like Copago, prefer the open zoos rather than the caged ones. It is great to see animals up close and in real life.

Your lucky Sue to have the red squirrel round you. We get many of the grey ones in our garden. Living in the country we get an impressive range of animals in our garden. Including dear, foxes (much to our chickens dismay!), hedgehogs, kingfishers and hares.

Don't know that I've been to a zoo, and if I was I don't remember (conceivably since I can't appreciate the experience--or maybe I was too young)

I do remember, once or twice, being at an aquarium (the one I know for sure was Baltimore).

I have also been to Sea World, and bought a stuffed killer whale to bring home with me.