“Visit the Zoo Day” happens every year on December 27, dating all the way back to when the world’s oldest scientific zoo, the Zoological Society of London, opened their facility to the public as a fundraiser in 1847.

Beyond the traditional image of zoos as a place to spend the day observing wildlife, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums supports contemporary animal management, husbandry, and veterinary care; 160 facilities reported spending $20.5 million in 2020 on research alone.

Why not start a new family tradition and pay a visit to your local zoo and visit the animals this December? If the zoo isn’t open or you’re not able to get there, look for online options offered by many zoos around the country. Rawr!