Zoo Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society) leading the discussion. From then on, zoo professionals became increasingly aware of the need to engage themselves in conservation programs, and the American Zoo Association soon said that conservation was its highest priority. In order to stress conservation issues, many large zoos stopped the practice of having animals perform tricks for visitors. The Detroit Zoo, for example, stopped its elephant show in 1969, and its chimpanzee show in 1983, acknowledging that the trainers had probably abused the animals to get them to perform. Whipsnade Park in Bedfordshire, England, was opened in 1931 as the first safari
World War Zoo gardens and animals to quieter country areas such Chessington Zoo going to as Paignton or Primley Zoo in Devon or ZSL London Zoo animals and families going to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. However, some zoos reopened after two weeks or more as a morale booster and to support zoo finances. The expected air raids did not happen until the Blitz of Autumn 1940, followed by further bombing raids and V1 and V2 rocket damage in 1944. Belfast Zoo was affected by the Belfast Blitz of 1941, leading to larger animals being put down to avoid escape during air raids. Others such as