Is is right to keep animals in a zoo?

Answer 1

Some road-side crap hole, ya shut the thing down. But the majority of the zoos in the day and age are far from the concrete and steel they used to be.

The plus side of zoos greatly out shadows the negative.

Yes the animals might be stuck in captivity but through them they serve as ambadassors for their wild brothers and sisters. It gives the public a chance to connect and learn about things they would have never had the chance to before.

Zoos have also transformed greatly over the years. They are changing from the old concrete and steel pits/cages of the past to wide lush open habitats with live plants, waterfalls, etc. On top of changing the way they house animals they have also changed how they run things. Though zoos are still out to make money (to keep doors open since most are non-profit) they have and still are moving to more of a conservation and education outlook rather than strictly entertainment.

On top of all that, zoos work a great deal in rescue projects with injured wildlife as well as breed and release programs with endangered species. For example sea world and other facilities in FL were being over-run with injured manatees to the point that they had no more room to house them. To help a handful of other zoos built exhibits where the injured/sick manatees could recover before they were released. With breeding there are many zoos who work together with the US govt as well as programs around the world to breed endangered species and release those that are born back out into the wild to help with new healthy blood lines. The California Condor would be extinct today if it was not for such programs.

Zoos also use the animals in their collection to help learn how to better care for those that are in the wild. Back to the manatee example. There is currently a virus floating through the wild manatee popluation that the science world has yet to figure out how it happened and how to stop it from spreading. Zoos are using their captive manatees with the virus to try and find a treatment or cure so that they can help the wild populations and re-release those that were sick.

So do I think animals should be kept in zoos? In this day and age it is a 100% yes. Because of what man has done to this world it is something that is needed. However, it should only be done for the right reasons and under the right conditions.

Answer 2

No I don't think it's right for animals to be kept in a zoo. I know that some endangered species are being kept so they can be looked after but there can never be a good reason to keep an animal in captivity. Some people say that those animals born in captivity don't know any different but that's rubbish. They have a sixth or seventh sense in them which will always be there. If we want to help wildlife we should help them to live in their natural environment by not taking away the land that they live on to build more and more houses and factories for us humans. Human beings are totally selfish, think they are the superior race and that's a load of rubbish, every living thing as the right to have it's own space and that is not locked up in a cage. Ask prisoners what it's like to be locked up and they've done wrong, unlike the animals.

Answer 3

I can see this from both sides of the discussion, on one hand the answer would be no. Because it is keeping animals from their natural habitats. On the other hand, most people wouldn't have a clue about the more exotic creatures without them being in zoos to see. REAL zoos take great care of their creatures and do everything to keep them safe, well and happy, whilst providing valuable education to visitors. Also, I think that zoos can provide a valid way to reduce or even stop the chance that certain animals become extinct - look at the panda for example. It is captive breeding that is helping this species because it is having such a hard time in the wild.

Answer 4

Zoo's should ALL be closed to the public.Sure if there is a need for breeding endangered animals , then there should be the resources available for this.
But there is no excuse for allowing the public to view these freak shows as a 'day out'.

With the technology available today we can see these creatures in their natural habitat in many ways without having to cage them for our own pleasure.

Does anyone really believe that when they see a giraffe or an elephant in a zoo, that they are actually looking at the real thing , what we see is a shadow of these magnificent animals , one that has been adapted to our needs...x

Answer 5

Zoo's are now part of endangered species programmes and Edinburgh zoo are at the moment upgrading the zoo so that the animals have a better life quality, They no longer have elephants as they didn't have appropriate surroundings for them to live in. The Endangered animals that they keep are put on breeding programmes so that in the future it will be possible for people to see these animals in their natural habitat as they breed and re-introduce them into the wild.

I do agree with zoo's in this case but don't agree with keeping them in small and boring environments where they have to live with no stimulation and nothing to do.

Answer 6

I have mixed feelings about this. On the whole, I don't like the idea of wild animals being in captivity, but these days most zoos have captive breeding programmes which breed endangered species which might otherwise die out. On balance I think zoos are a good thing as long as they are run properly.

Answer 7

Don't like zoo's much myself, always feel sorry for the animals. At least they are well cared for and in no danger from hunters etc. One day there is a possibility the zoo will be the only place to see some species as man seems intent on hunting or destroying their natural habitat.

Answer 8

In some circumstances that is the best course of action to preseve and protect the species from extinction. However a zoo suggests a place where Humans pay to see these creatures in a safe manner. When in fact for the most part that is only one aspect of the work a zoo does.
Research, anthrological studies and other life preserving activity is done often behind the scenes.
I am for facilities that utilise these aspects to further the survival of a species.

Answer 9

well the last time i visited a zoo.. (3 months ago) the animals all looked very well and the staff done a wonderful job of keeping on top of cleaning up after the animals and they had plenty of space and looked very content.. I think it is a much easier life for zoo animals than wild animals at risk from being hunted & killed by humans or other animals. and they also protect & breed animals who would be in danger of dying out in the wild

Answer 10

This depends on why they are kept in one.
Some animals, which are becoming extinct, are kept in zoos for breeding purposes, this is a good thing, since when numbers are on the increase these animals can be released back into the wild. Colchester Zoo does just this, along with many others.