Zoo: Who are we really helping? Peoples Trust has provided me with a huge amount of information on why zoos are useful through its "Article on Zoos and Conservation". Peoples Trust has pointed out that not all zoos mistreat their animals, but has never taken into consideration the consequences that the animals themselves may suffer and what is taken from them. The Peoples Trust article "Zoos & Conservation" touched on zoos located in Great Britain only. . And the rest of the world? Fortunately, there is a group called the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) that inspects zoos and aquariums to ensure they are suitable for conservation. For example, the Giza Zoo in Cairo was closed for killing two gorillas who may have been infected with the disease and for extra pay by endangering visitors so they could pet any animal they requested. Now, if one of these animals were to attack a visitor, it would put down the animal where it is simply doing what its instincts tell it. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) breeds globally endangered animals and then reintroduces them into the wild. ZSL states that the main reasons for species extinction are: poaching, pollution, climate change and overpopulation of the human race due to the need for homes, shops, hospitals and other services. The rainforest that once encompassed four billion acres of Earth has now shrunk to 2.5 billion acres of Earth in a matter of a few hundred years. Wetlands have also been destroyed and provide drinking water for wildlife and humans. Perhaps the solution to this problem is not to lock up endangered animals, but to crack down on habitat destruction. Maybe there should be places where ownership is limited... middle of paper... the animal itself should always be put before profit. Work cited Jackie Leavitt. "The worst zoos in the world." Global Post July 23, 2010: September 4, 2011 Think globally, act locally. Smithsonian National Zoological Park. September 4, 2011Zoo. Mercy for Animals, a voice for the rights of all animals. September 4, 2011 http://www.mercyforanimals.org/zoos.aspZoos & Conservation. People's trust in the environment. 4 September 2011 http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/zoos/113Zoochosis. Circus Watch WA. September 4, 2011 http://circuswatchwa.org/zoochosis.htm Sad eyes and empty lives. Animals in captivity. September 4, 2011< http://www.captiveanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Sad-Eyes-Empty-Lives.pdf>