The natural world has always been a subject of human fascination. The animal kingdom in particular has rarely been left alone by humans, with the capturing and keeping of animals a feature of many societies over the millennia. But where did the idea of seizing animals from the wild and putting them on display start? And how did this evolve into the zoos and wildlife parks that are a feature of the modern world?
Some of the earliest examples of animals being acquired for a menagerie can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. Evidence found at Thebes suggests that the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut kept animals such as elephants, leopards and baboons in her wildlife collection. Other exotic animal remains found in an ancient cemetery at Hierakonpolis show that although the Ancient Egyptians might have enjoyed ownership of foreign pets they did not necessarily know how to care for them properly. The skeletons of baboons and a hippo with broken bones suggest that the animals were dangerously tied up and sustained injuries while trying to free or protect themselves. But despite the animals not being well cared for, their presence was important in that the menagerie was a source of pride for the collector. It is likely that for Hatshepsut, the existence of the menagerie and the displaying of these animals was a symbol of her wealth and status; having access to such creatures exemplified an ability to travel
