Zoos: Are they good or are they bad?
There are currently about 170 bonobos in zoos across the world. And, while zoos are usually great, sometimes bad things can happen at zoos. On Christmas Day, 2007, a Siberian Tiger escaped from its zoo home and attacked three people in the zoo. Which makes us wonder for the bazillionth time:
Are zoos good or are zoos bad? What do you think?
We realize that this is a complicated question, so we’re going to make two lists, a good list and a bad list, to help you decide. Of course, you may have things to add, so please send them our way – we always love to hear from you!
GOOD
Conservation – Zoos keep animals that are endangered safe from extinction by offering them protection from hunters and habitat destruction.
Multiplication – Zoos work hard to make sure that endangered animals are having babies so that the species does not become extinct. This involves keeping track of different families of animals within each species for the healthiest, strongest babies.
Education – Zoos offer people the ability to see and learn about animals from all over the world. When people see the animals face to face, they understand that the animal is a being who deserves to be treated well. Zoos also educate people on the dangers of extinction and the importance of keeping our environment clean.
Fundraising – Zoos do an excellent job of raising money to help save endangered animals and their habitats.
Fun – Zoos are beautiful and fun. On a warm, sunny day, in a terrific zoo (like the St. Louis Zoo and the Jacksonville Zoo) – we love to walk around and see the animals.
BAD
Captivity- The best thing would be for wild animals to be wild in their natural habitats. No matter how much a zoo may make their lion den look like a lion den, it’s really still a cage where lions can not do the hunting and running that they were born to do.
Conditions- Not all zoos are beautiful and rich! Some animals live in dirty conditions and actual cages. (Animal Protection Institute is one of the many organizations working to protect captive animals.)
Treatment- Not all zookeepers love animals and there are many reports of animal abuse.
Accidents - Like the tiger incident, sometimes wild animals escape and act like wild animals.
Health – Because animals aren’t in their natural habitat eating what they are meant to eat and getting the exercise they are meant to get, they can become inactive and sick.
Entertainment- Many zoos and circuses use animals for entertainment, asking the animals to do things that they wouldn’t naturally do in the wild (like throw balls or stand on their hind legs).
Tell us what you think…Are good zoos good and bad zoos bad? Are they all bad? Are they all good? We can’t wait to hear from you and to post as many of your answers as possible!
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The author of this post clearly doesn’t understand what they are talking about. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has an accreditation process for zoos, so if a zoo is accredited by the AZA, its doing everything it should be. None of my statements regarding zoos, cover those that are not AZA accredited. The benefits of zoos greatly exceeds the negatives, especially because the negatives are always drastically overplayed. This author wrote this piece because they love animals, studies have shown that the majority of “animal lovers” developed this love while visiting zoos at a young age.
This anti-captivity speak is such nonsense. The “wild” is not like the Lion King, it is a very rough place. The idea that animals would “rather be back in the wild” comes from people that don’t understand how good animals in zoo’s have it.
At AZA zoos there are no “dirty conditions,” unless the specific animal requires it.
The BS about zookeepers not loving animals is the same as preaching about police that misuse their power, it is extremely rare, and completely unacceptable in an AZA zoo.
Accidents happen everywhere. Zoos actually have a much better safety record then most other aspects of society. Statistically you’re much safer at a zoo, then pretty much anywhere else.
Animal do not become “inactive” or “sick” due to being in a zoo. Practically every animal species lives exponentially longer in captivity then in the wild.
Entertainment is the purpose of why many people visit zoos, when zoos cater to this need it is never at the cost of the animal. Just like someones dog, animals that have been trained formally love to “work.”
Hi Anthony -
We so appreciate you taking the time to comment on our blog and sharing your deep passion - of course, we are not a zoo keepers, but we do have some clue about what we’re talking about. We’ve been to sad, dirty zoos where the animals are literally in rooms or cages and don’t look so great. Abuse does happen. I happen to know a wildlife expert who told me specifically that standing on concrete hurts elephant feet and causes all sorts of problems - just one minor example. And what about the zoos or ‘zoos’ that don’t have the AZA behind them???
We grew up going to one of the greatest zoos around - the St. Louis Zoo - where they do an incredible job of building natural habitats and working on education and conservation. For all of that, we are grateful to zoos and believe we stated that rather clearly in the post.
Of course the ‘wild’ is not the Lion King (which wasn’t so peachy anyway if you remember), it is the wild, afterall. But it is sad that humans have messed with the natural world to the point that now we have to save animals by putting them in zoos instead of letting them live their natural lives - the good and the bad.
The bonobo species may very well be saved from extinction by zoos - we recognize this and it was stated
Thank you for being a zoo keeper that truly cares about zoos and animals. Seriously, you are a hero for what you do…thanks and keep it up!
Most zoos I’ve been to seem good for the animals
;8)
Hi Anthony,
I appreciate your comments, because you are the one who makes good things happen.
Could you please share your knowledge with us and help us understand what could be done to protect badly treated animals from the bad zoos.
Are there any programs that makes possible transfering animals from small and underfunded zoos to “animal heavens’? Is it possible to eliminate zoos that are animal prisons and nothing else and give the animals a new chance of life in eco-friendly places with realistic habitats, open concept zoos, places with fertile breeding programs?
In November 2008 we traveled in Argentina and visited the Zoo in Buenos Aires. We were shocked to see the great wiled animals normally living in groups, singled and locked in small cages.
The chimpanzee is the one that I can’t forget. She is locked in a tiny cement and glass prison, leaning on the glass window with a clear expression of going through slow death. She gave up hope. She gave up life. Is there anything that could be done for her and others?
I care, we care, please help us to make this world a better place.
Zofia
Hello to everyone out there. I happen to be doing an essay on zoos, if they are good or bad, so there are more than one answer. Some zoos can be dirty. Ever heard of a road-side zoo? Its were people ILLIGALLY get animals from the wild and drive in their trucks with trailers are the back with animals going from city to city getting people to pay to let them see the animals. There are lots of good and bad things like did you know that to this date there has only been TWO Panda born in captivitie? This is because Pandas don’t like giving birth for all to see. Would you?
I disagree with anthony. I think zoos mistreat animals and only use them for money.
Hi, I fink zoos r wel bad, I fnk tht if thy wanna stp the animals frm goin extinced thy shld do tht in the animal’s habitat!! nt in a sml cge at a zoo tht cld mke em sick!!