In old times of Homeland, it was common to have small exhibitions of animals and birds for families in some houses; some times there were exhibitions in some parts of the cities.In 1637, Adam Olorius, the German traveler had mentioned seeing a zoo in Isfahan (the capital of the Safavid Empire). At Fath-Ali Shah Qajar’s era, around 1809, there used to be exhibitions of baboons, apes, snakes, bears and lions in Sabze Meidan.
Also, there was a permanent exhibition of elephants at elephant house in Darolkhalafeh and the Indian elephants were used in especial occasions. In Qajari era, the first zoo was not established until Naser al-Din Shah Qajar established it at Lakhti Street (Sadi). It was small and few people were visiting it.
