I sometimes feel bad for the animal in the zoo. Especially if they have concrete cages and no habitat. Living in a square cage with not much to do or see doesn’t seem humane to me.

I have seen excellent habitat at several zoos though, and I feel better about it. There are some good programs that have saved some animals from extinction which is a plus. Also, zoos help educate people about different animals and what poachers or habitat loss does to the species. People are more likely to develop empathy for an animal if they have seen it up close.

With the way the world is today…zoos will soon be the ONLY place on earth where wild animals can exist on the planet. Zoos not only educate the public to help save these animals habitat in the wild..but they also act as a place to breed endangered species that can be placed back into the wild so that the animal can possibly NOT become extinct. Also, not sure if you are aware..that wild animals are no longer taken out of the wild to be put in zoos, this practice has not been done in many, many years. All zoo animals were born in the zoo or obtained from other zoos. Also, zoos give people the opportunity to see animals they would otherwise never see in their lifetime. (unless they were world travelers) This helps people to better understand and care about the animal and will make them more likely to want to save them in the wild. People are not going to care about an animal just by looking at a picture in a book…but seeing it up close and alive at a zoo may change their whole perspective. If not for zoos, the California Condor would now be extinct. The LA zoo and the San Diego zoo saved it from extinction. There are many different endangered species breeding programs taking place in zoos all over the world.

Lets suppose we all accept that keeping animals in captivity is in fact cruel to some extent. There are some competing concerns:

1) Zoos may save some animals from extinction, check on google but I’m fairly sure there are several species who live largely or completely in captivity.

2) Zoos raise public awareness about wildlife and may encourage environmentalism.

3) Animals in Zoos aren’t likely to be eaten, so we are sparing them from the suffering they could experience if they were eaten in the natural world (probably while still alive).

I’m in favor of zoos. They educate people about wildlife and promote conservation. There are many endangered species of animal that the average person would know nothing about if zoo researchers weren’t doing their part to breed and study them.

As long as the animals are not poached from the wild (like they were for original zoos) and are bred in captivity (the exception being rescued animals that are sometimes rehabilitated in zoo facilities) I think it’s fine. The animals should also have ample habitat space and mental and physical stimulation. I love animals, and I love going to zoos and aquariums.

Cruel, no they will live longer in a zoo. Nature is cruel and will have many animals dead at a much younger age. The reason for zoo’s is to learn how animals live and by studying there characteristics. Therefore we as humans can move on with technology with as little interfernce as possible with the animal kingdom. The final reason is to make MONEY. Money is the answer to all most any question of why.

We have hunted many species to the verge of extinction and in some instances some of the rarest animals are only breeding in captivity. I think the word “Zoo” is misinterpreted nowadays, it is a Victorian description which is how you seem to be valuing them but it is more about animal protection and conservation these days. Zoos varies around the world and I don’t know what country you come from but here in UK we have some of the best conservation and animal protection institutions with the focus on keeping theses rare breeds from extinction rather than providing a source of entertainment for the public, with breeding programs and in depth animal studies

Mistreating animals is cruel. The animals in zoos are generally treated very well. Zoos help bring understanding and awareness to people. I once hooked up with a girl at a zoo, so they also help to bring people together. Also some zoos care for endangered species and help their populations to grow, and in some cases have saved certain species from extinction. In summation, zoos are good.

I think that it is fine to have animals in the zoo. All of these animals get better food and medical care then some people, i think it is a great way for these animals to speak for there species. I think a great example of a zoo that is outstanding is the wild animal park in San Diego. This park lets the animals run free as if they were in the wild, they get to graze and act as if they were still in the wild. It’s like the argument people make against eating meat, or using products tested on animals. If you were shoes, eat meat, wear clothes, or drive a car then you are using something connected with animals. Even the head of p.e.t.a take insulin to control her diabetes, and as we all know insulin is tested on animals.

I agree to a certain extent. Some animals in zoo’s were abandoned by their mothers in the wild and had no other chance for survival. Some are kept in captivity because they are endangered and need to be saved from poachers.

There are advantages and disadvantages regarding zoo.

Advantage is that you get a chance to see and know animals. Do you know that the

majority of them take a lot of pain to protect animals?

Freedom is a birthright and animals have no exception.This may be what you think and I too agree. I don’t agree to the places where animals are kept in cages but,wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves can be given agreement.Here animals get there privacy and also help one to know them.