The Buenos Aires Zoological Garden, the Sociedad Rural Argentina, and the Multiple Goals of Argentine Acclimatization

The Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA, Argentine Rural Society) and the Buenos Aires Zoo were the two principal acclimatization institutions in Argentina at the turn of the twentieth century. Located directly across the street from each other, both participated in global acclimatization networks, trading information and specimens with peers in Europe, the US, and the Global South. The peak of Argentine acclimatization occurred later than in many countries and served the development of agriculture and the colonization of the interior. Although the SRA and Zoo frequently collaborated, their differing missions and publics meant that the SRA focused on acclimatizing purebred cattle and strengthening Creole livestock for large ranchers, while the Zoo experimented with a broader range of animals and hoped to benefit small farmers and the working class. The history of Argentine acclimatization, which occurred against the backdrop of mass immigration from Europe, provides a counterpoint to imperial narratives and points to regional connections.