Zoos Should Be Banned
Zoos should absolutely be banned. First of all, what’s the fun of watching sad, very bored animals trapped behind a glass window? They would much rather be in their natural habitat, roaming free, instead of wasting away in a depressing jail, surrounded by threatening human faces. For example, elephants in the wild roam up to 30 miles a day with their families. In a zoo, they do not have access to that ability. Elephants are often limited to small enclosures not suitable for their instincts to herd and explore.
Many individuals say that zoos are a good source of public education and awareness. If zoos are good for those things, then why are we teaching people that it’s acceptable to imprison animals for our own entertainment? This year, a child jumped into the enclosure of a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, resulting in the death of the animal. The gorilla’s name was Harambe, and this murder aroused many negative feelings about zoos all around the world. Harambe died at the age of 17, merely half of the average age that Western Lowland Gorillas live in the wild. He could have lived so much longer if it weren’t for a naive decision. People are abusing the education and entertainment available at zoos to the point where they are disrespecting and hurting the animals.
Harambe died at the age of 17, merely half of the average age that Western Lowland Gorillas live in the wild.
Zoos are not as healthy as the wild for animals. Animal life spans are cut shorter in zoos than compared to their natural habitat. For example, the lifespan of African Elephants in the wild is three times more than one in captivity. Also, out of all of the lion cubs at a zoo, forty percent end up dying.
Some people might say that zoos rescue endangered species and save their species. While this may be true for some animals, this is dangerous because by removing animals from the wild, it puts their species into more of an endangered state because the remaining animals not rescued have a lot more trouble finding mates.
In conclusion, animals are not comfortable, happy, or healthy in zoos, and this is something that needs to change. By keeping animals in the wild, they will thrive in their natural habitats, and do much better by themselves than with our “help”.
Save the zoos
Zoos should not be banned. My first reason is, zoos can rescue animals that may be endangered or about to go extinct. Not only do they save them, but they also reproduce the animals for future release. Zoos save them from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. Poachers are illegal hunters who do not follow the laws, rules, and regulations. Poachers are especially a problem in Africa, where many animals there such as tigers, and elephants are killed in the wildlife parks, where hunting is banned.
Yes, some parks and zoos don’t take as good of care of the animals as they are supposed to, but we can change that.
My second reason is, some animals in the wild need major medical attention. If they are in the wild no one, or thing will be there to help them. Approximately two billion animals get killed every year. Zoos rescue those animals and put them in a safe environment, and high quality care. Some zoos are officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means that they are held at high standards for taking care of the animals. A good zoo provides an enriched environment, so the animals are never bored and are well treated for. Yes, some parks and zoos don’t take as good of care of the animals as they are supposed to, but we can change that. The Animal Welfare Act is a law that was passed to have the people or person that come and inspect your zoo enforce that law. The AWA requires that the zoo’s be licensed and registered or the AWA activities are going to be shut down. The animals that are covered under the law is any live or dead warm blooded animal.
Lastly, don’t you remember going to the zoo, as a child, and seeing all the animals with your classmates? This is a perfect chance to go and learn all about these animals you only see once in a lifetime. Children get a good education about these animals and come face to face with them. This education and exposure motivates them to protect the animals. Most animals today are in zoos, and our only other way to reach them if they weren’t in zoos were to be in the wild, and that is very dangerous. People could get injured or even killed.