Would this snaggletoothed, red-eyed, aggressive-looking gorilla entice you to go to the Bronx Zoo? Not likely in 2017, as today’s families tend to look for friendlier photos of the animals in peaceful settings. The zoo ads we typically see today feature animals lounging happily around their habitats. This is no surprise, as zoos have changed a lot over the last century. Although we don’t know the exact date for this advertisement, it is suspected to be from the mid-1930s, when zoos kept animals in small enclosures and viewed them more as a spectacle. Today, zoos have vastly improved their treatment of animals, with a focus on their welfare and comfort. While the purpose is still primarily entertainment, there is an emphasis on scientific research, rehabilitation, and conservation.

FUN FACT: The Bronx Zoo was actually one of the more progressive zoos, as in 1841 it opened the African Plains Exhibit. It was the first zoological exhibit that allowed visitors to see predator and prey in a natural setting. (Source: Daily News)