A Zoo Key is a key that activates talking storybook boxes located throughout a zoological garden

Zoo

A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....

. The story recordings provide an audio tour

Audio tour

An audio tour or audio guide provides a recorded spoken commentary, normally through a handheld device, to a visitor attraction such as a museum. They are also available for self-guided tours of outdoor locations, or as a part of an organised tour. It provides background, context, and information...

 of the zoo.

Origin

Talking Storybooks and Magic Keys were first used in Children's Fairyland

Children's Fairyland

Children's Fairyland, U.S.A. was the first theme park in the United States created to cater to families with young children. Located in Oakland, California on the shore of Lake Merritt, Fairyland includes 10 acres of play sets, small rides, and animals...

 in Oakland, California

Oakland, California

Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...

. Invented by Bruce Sedley, the original elephant-shaped novelty key was patented in 1960 (patent #188,343), and the story book system was patented in 1962 (patent #3,059,069).