wat are pros for having zoos?

Answer 1

More awareness of animals by the general public and the chance to see animals they wouldn't otherwise be able to. It also helps to safe-guard against extinction.

Answer 2

Well, there are a lot of cons for zoos, but you asked for the pros.

There are many animals in captivity that are not sutable for release into the wild. These are often animals that were born in zoos and do not know how to take care of themselves. If zoos did not exist, these animals would have no place to go. There are not enough suitable wildlife sanctuaries for all of them.

The Species Survival Program, while not perfect, strives to breed endangered or threatened species. This program is useful because it keeps track of the geneology of the animals to prevent inbreeding.

Sadly, people will usually only fight to save animals they care about. Zoos give people access to animals from around the world. This increases awareness, people care more, and they are more willing to help with conservation programs after they have seen the actual animals.

As an afterthought: I DO NOT agree with everything PETA says, but if you see animals in distress at a zoo (as mentioned in a previous answer) download the form available from PETA to report it. There are definitely good zoos and bad zoos. The National Zoo is, for the most part, a good zoo, and I did not witness mistreatment of wolves when I was there. This doesn't mean it didn't happen - just that I didn't see it.

The more people care (and are willing to do something about it), the better off the animals will be.

Answer 3

I was at the National Zoo in Washington DC a few months ago and I saw something that totally changed my opinion on Zoo's. They had an exhibit with a few wolves; I was excited because I had never seen a wolf in real life. After watching for a few minutes I began to see things in a different way. The wolves were running a non-stop lap of their enclosure, over and over and did not stop, you could see where there was a worn path that was several inches deep. There were so many people howling like wolves I began to see how neurotic these wolves were. In the wild Wolves have huge territories and are basically on the move all the time. They have a natural instinct to avoid humans. To confine them to a small enclosure where they can see and smell people but can not get away is cruel and inhuman. Hearing people howl all day is also terrible, to them it is a threat, the human is encroaching on their territory and claiming it and not being able to escape puts a strain on the animal. These wolves were basically crazy, and for what! There was no natural behavior there to be observed, it is the equivalent of putting a human in a 2x2 cell. Animals should not be confined and used as a revenue-generating tool. If you want to help protect a species from extinction than build reserves off limits to the general public with limited human involvement to breed animals for release into the wild. Zoos are barbaric and remind us of how cruel and uncaring humanity can still be.

Answer 4

have you heard of Australia Zoo in Queensland?
Steve Irwin dedicated his life to help our native wildlife.Rogue Crocodiles which were endangering lives and were then putting themselves in danger from retaliation were removed by Steve and placed in his wonderful zoo. In a zoo breeding program the breeding can be controlled and some of the world's most endangered animals are surviving extinction because of these efforts. Another excellent advantage is that people can be educated on all the animals that otherwise we just wouldn't see.

Answer 5

Large zoos
captive breeding programs for endangered
research
education of the public
a place to house when there is no habitat left (contraversal though)
Better than the public owning the pets- know how to care for them, provide enrichment, etc.

Also for smaller zoos:
education
hands on learning (most have petting zoos, sometimes with exotics)

Answer 6

It is really sad to see animals in unnatural, restricted enclosures but maybe for breeding endangered species for re-introduction to the wild? If we looked after the world properly we shouldn't need zoo's. You can learn more from a good wildlife program.

Answer 7

Did you mean "what"?

Zoos maintain a gene pool for animals that are endangered. Animals can be re-introduced to the wild when the habitat is restored.

Zoos can be used for animal studies to learn how to manage them and their habitats.

Zoos are use to make animals accessible to people for education.

Answer 8

1. Breeding programs for endangered species
2. Animals are more easily studied, then in the wild
3. Somewhere for animals to live, if there natural habitat was destroyed

Answer 9

They allow all people to see what kind of majesty nature has to offer.

They can help protect and regenerate endangered species.

The raise awareness of how important nature conservancy is.

Answer 10

when you die, you can be fed to the hyinas....thats my dream