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Wild animals have fascinated human observers since time immemorial. The story of our interest in collecting- classifying and dominating Nature looms large; thus it is surprising that the history of menageries- zoological gardens and zoos as we know them today has been so poorly documented. This gap is addressed by Zoo. In the Renaissance- wealthy aristocrats showcased exotic beasts in private menageries. Safely caged- animals inspired the interest of naturalists and fed the curiosity of the masses. By the nineteenth century- increased urbanization and colonization aided the expansion of zoos in which animals were tamed to serve as domesticated livestock. Nowadays- with many natural habitats under threat of extinction- the social function of zoos is less clear. Such institutions both present the illusion of wild animals in a natural state to a nostalgic public and find themselves justifying their existence as saviours of endangered species....