Why do we want to keep a waleshark confined at the Atlanta Aquarium?

Question

Isn't it cruel & unusual punishment or am I just a crybaby - Animal Lover

Answer 1

Aquariums are places of learning about and experiencing things that we otherwise would not have exposure to.

Yes, it seems cruel to keep animals in cages, and fish in aquariums rather than leaving them in their natural habitats.

However, you can also look on the bright side of things. If in their natural habitat they are subject to all the rules of nature . . . including predation and starvation if their food sources are not readily available.

Zoos and aquariums are staffed by professionals that know how to care for these creatures and provide the best possible enviornment for their health and wellbeing.

If a zoo or an aquarium fall short of this task we shut them down.

Many people derive a great deal of pleasure from seeing these marvelous creatures.

Zoos and aquariums also do researach to study these creatures so we can learn how best to protect their natural habitats so that they will be with future generations in the wild.

There is much more "good" than "bad" that comes from well run zoos and aquariums.

TEACHER