Topic > My opinion and discussion on the reasons for and against zoos

IndexPositive arguments for zoosWhat can be said against zoos?ConclusionNot zoos are morally wrong is a topic on which people's opinions differ greatly. We all remember going to the zoo on family trips when we were younger, but do these fond memories really justify keeping animals in captivity? In this essay I will discuss the reasons for and against zoos and then give my opinion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayPositive Arguments for ZoosThe first argument showing the positive aspects of zoos that I will talk about is that zoos help save endangered species and can save wildlife. Zoos can be effective in protecting animals from poaching. This is very important for animals such as elephants as they are constantly in danger from poachers in the wild due to the ivory in their tusks. Rhinos are another species that would benefit from protection from ivory poachers as they are commonly hunted for their valuable tusks. Some zoos also offer breeding programs that can help save a species from the brink of extinction, such as the California condor. These birds were very close to extinction but were saved by a breeding program set up by the Los Angeles Zoo. Likewise, there are some zoos that will also rescue foreign and exotic pets that have been taken away from their owners or that the owners no longer want. This shows that zoos can benefit animal welfare. Another argument in favor of zoos is that they are educational and beneficial to humans. Having animals in zoos serves educational purposes as we can experience the animals in person and see their behaviors in person. Furthermore, seeing animals in person is more special and personal than seeing them in photos or documentaries. Zoos are also very important places where families can gather and educate younger children at the same time. Zoos are often the first place parents think of taking their kids for an outing on a nice day because it's fun, no matter your age. Younger children can also benefit educationally from visiting zoos as they will see animals in real life rather than in pictures and documentaries. Zoos can also be very important to the tourism industry as it can support economies and provide jobs for people interested in animal welfare. What can be said against zoos? However, there are many arguments against the existence of zoos, one of them is that they are against animal rights. Keeping animals in captivity for our pleasure is cruel and inhumane as many of these animals are torn from their families and homes. Zoos cannot physically provide the amount of space that animals would be accustomed to in the wild; for example, polar bears held in captivity will have 1 million times less space than they would in their natural habitat. Another example of this is that lions in zoos have 300,000 times less space than they would in the wild. Due to the vastness of their habitats, there is no way a zoo could provide such space. The Arctic has an area of ​​10.42 square miles, where polar bears would be accustomed to having room to roam and living in freezing conditions. While in a zoo they will have nothing like that and will be taken away from their climate. Likewise, smaller, less reputable zoos tend to have a lack of space for animals, and often, 63(4), 211-213.