This chapter considers what a zoo is and the role of zoos in our culture. It discusses the definition of a ‘zoo’ and the missions statements that zoos produce to explain their purpose to the public. Most zoo visitors are families, they prefer to see large animals, especially mammals, and the primary purpose of their visits is entertainment. Zoos are culturally important. They remind us of our childhood, we give our children toy animals and model zoos, and many zoos keep long-lived animals, such as gorillas and elephants, that become important personalities that we get to know over a long period of our lives. The pattern of visitation is affected by the type of zoo, time of year, weather and other factors, including differential pricing. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative effect on the financial positions of zoos.