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History of Aquariums Timeline

(c. 2500 BCE–Present)

The history of aquariums traces humanity’s changing relationship with aquatic life, from ancient fish ponds and private collections to public institutions dedicated to education, scientific research, conservation, and environmental awareness. Less

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Regulation and public impact

Migratory Bird Treaty Act identified

1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 is another law identified as relevant to regulating activities involving animals exhibited by zoos.

Animal Welfare Act identified as applicable law

1966

The Animal Welfare Act is among the laws that regulate zoo activities depending on the animals exhibited.

Image source: Animal Welfare Act of 1966

Animal Welfare Act identified as applicable law

Endangered Species Act identified as applicable law

1973

Depending on the animals displayed, zoo activities are regulated by laws including the Endangered Species Act. The act is one of the legal frameworks relevant to animal exhibits.

AZA facilities report 195 million visitors

2017

AZA reported 195 million visitors to its 236 accredited member facilities in 2017, illustrating the substantial public reach of accredited zoos and aquariums.

Image source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums

AZA facilities report 195 million visitors

USDA-licensed exhibits estimated

2019

AZA estimated that approximately 2,800 animal exhibits were operating under a United States Department of Agriculture license as of 2019.

AZA history

AZA predecessor founded

1924

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing zoos and public aquariums in conservation, education, science, and recreation was founded in 1924. It later became the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

American Association formed

Oct 1924

In October 1924, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums was formed as an affiliate of the American Institute of Park Executives.

Professional branch affiliation established

1966

In 1966, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums became a professional branch affiliate of the newly formed National Recreation and Park Association, which had absorbed the American Institute of Park Executives.

Membership votes for independence

1971

In the fall of 1971, members voted for the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums to become an independent association.

Independent association chartered

Jan 19, 1972

On January 19, 1972, the organization was chartered as the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. Its executive office was located in Wheeling, West Virginia, within the Oglebay Park Good Zoo.

Executive office located in Wheeling

Jan 19, 1972

At the time of its 1972 charter, the association's executive office was established at the Oglebay Park Good Zoo in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Shorter AZA name adopted

1994

In 1994, the organization adopted the shorter name American Zoo and Aquarium Association, commonly abbreviated AZA.

Accreditation and membership

AZA reports 236 accredited facilities

2017

In 2017, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported that 236 member facilities were accredited.

Accreditation rate estimated below 10 percent

2019

AZA estimated that fewer than 10 percent of the approximately 2,800 USDA-licensed animal exhibits were accredited as of 2019.

2025 country list published

2025

The stated list of AZA-accredited locations is identified as a 2025 list, documenting the contemporary international scope of the association's accreditation network.

United Arab Emirates facility included

2025

The United Arab Emirates was among the countries with an AZA-accredited facility as of March 2025.

South Korean facility included

2025

South Korea was among the countries with an AZA-accredited facility as of March 2025.

Singapore facility included

2025

Singapore was among the countries with an AZA-accredited facility as of March 2025.

Hong Kong facilities included

2025

Hong Kong was among the Asian locations with an AZA-accredited facility as of March 2025.

Spanish facility included

2025

Spain was among the countries outside the Americas with an AZA-accredited facility as of March 2025.

South American facilities included

2025

Colombia and Argentina were among the countries with AZA-accredited facilities as of March 2025.

Caribbean facilities included

2025

Bermuda, The Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic were among the locations with AZA-accredited facilities as of March 2025.

Mexican facilities included

2025

Mexico was among the countries outside the United States with AZA-accredited facilities as of March 2025.

Canadian facilities included

2025

Canada was among the countries outside the United States with AZA-accredited facilities as of March 2025.

United States leads AZA accreditation

2025

As of 2025, accredited AZA facilities were primarily located in the United States.

Accredited related facilities counted

2025

In addition to its accredited zoos and aquariums, the AZA network contained 14 accredited related facilities as of 2025.

AZA network reaches 238 accredited facilities

2025

By 2025, the AZA network included 238 accredited zoos and aquariums, primarily in the United States, with additional facilities in twelve other countries.

March 2025 accreditation count reported

Mar 2025

As of March 2025, AZA reported 238 accredited facilities in the United States and thirteen other countries: Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

Conservation programs

Member institutions fund SAFE species

2017

In 2017, AZA member zoos and aquariums invested $15.6 million toward species included in the SAFE program.

Field conservation benefits 860 species

2017

In 2017, member institutions reported participating in field conservation projects benefiting more than 860 species in 128 countries.

Wildlife Trafficking Alliance acquired

2018

In early 2018, AZA acquired the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance to expand public awareness of the purchase and sale of illegal wildlife products in the United States.

SAFE program exceeds 20 groups

2019

By 2019, more than 20 species or taxonomic groups were included in AZA's SAFE program.

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Key Facts

  1. Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and other cultures kept fish in ponds for food, religious purposes, decoration, and companionship.
  2. The modern aquarium developed in the nineteenth century as advances in glassmaking, water circulation, and marine biology made it possible to keep aquatic animals indoors.
  3. The first public aquarium opened at the London Zoo in 1853, helping popularize aquatic exhibits and public education.
  4. Aquariums became important centers for scientific research, studying animal behavior, marine ecosystems, breeding, and aquatic diseases.
  5. Contemporary aquariums increasingly focus on conservation through captive-breeding programs, habitat restoration, rescue work, sustainable seafood education, and climate-awareness initiatives.

Source

This History of Aquariums timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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