Science at the Zoo

On 3 November 1825, Count István Széchenyi, known as “the Greatest Hungarian,” offered one year of income from his estates to establish a “Hungarian scholarly society,” essentially founding what later became the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He also called on the country’s wealthy citizens, especially members of the nobility, to follow his example. In 2003, the Hungarian Parliament declared the anniversary of this important event the Hungarian Science Festival. This date is important for us as well, since science plays a role in every aspect of how zoos operate.

There is a specific field of science that is closely linked to zoos: zoo science. This is a multidisciplinary area that builds on the results of many independent disciplines, ranging from biology and zoology, and even physics, through animal husbandry and conservation biology, to pedagogy, economics, and energy management. If we consider how many different tasks must be managed every day in a zoo, it becomes clear that zoo science, which provides the scientific basis for all of this, is connected to many fields. In zoos, this knowledge is not only applied in daily practice but also developed and expanded.

Many facts we know about nature are based on zoo research. For some animal species, for example, there are no field studies that determine their gestation period; in such cases, science relies solely on observations made in zoos. At the same time, observations and experience gained in zoos can also be used effectively in wildlife conservation programs carried out in natural habitats.

The discovery of blood circulation is also linked to early zoo research. William Harvey used his observations at the Royal Menagerie in Windsor to clarify the role of systemic circulation, effectively describing blood circulation as a whole. Before the publication of Harvey’s work in 1628, this was not known, yet today it is of fundamental importance in the life sciences and medicine. Similarly important results came from studies carried out on rhesus macaques at Frankfurt Zoo. These studies led to the identification of the Rh factor and the human Rh blood group, with “Rh” referring to rhesus macaques. The widespread use of salt licks in animal husbandry to meet animals’ salt requirements also originates from zoo-based research.

Of course, our Zoo is not only a user of scientific results but also a contributor to them. As early as the 1860s, our founders defined one of the institution’s goals as providing opportunities for “scientific observation.” Accordingly, over nearly 160 years, our Zoo has supplied information and research material for many studies, and our staff have taken part, and continue to take part, in a wide range of research projects. From developing artificial insemination techniques for rhinoceroses, through establishing husbandry practices for species previously not kept or only rarely kept in zoos, to preserving the history of our long-established institution, zoo professionals work in many areas to support the growth of shared scientific knowledge.

It is important not only to apply scientific results and contribute to research, but also to present scientific knowledge to the general public. For this reason, science education has a long tradition at our Zoo. Educational texts placed near animal enclosures, programs organized by our zoo educators, various experience-based activities, as well as our Zoo’s website and social media platforms, all help visitors learn more about wildlife, its diversity, and the threats that endanger its survival.