Zoos

A debate that was brought up in class was that of zoos. Some people argued that zoos hurt animals because they are kept in cages and stripped from their natural habitat. Others said that the animals in zoos are kept safe and couldn’t survive in the wild on their own. I looked into it more to see what exactly zoos do for the animals that are there. Jack Hanna, the director of Columbus Zoo argues that zoos help with animal conservation. They are a safe place for animals that live in the wild and can be subjected to poaching or habitat loss. Zoos try to replicate their natural habitat and provide extra care for them, so they live harm free lives. Zoos are also the only place for some people to see certain animals and it allows people to be better educated about the different species that live in our world. On the other hand, captivating animals could be seen as treating animals inhumanly. Animals are made to live in the wild and cannot thrive like they could if they did not have boundaries. Keeping an animal locked in the same place for its entire life, without freedom to roam is dangerous. People argue that since we wouldn’t do that to humans, we shouldn’t do that to other animals. This debate remains a heated one. It also differs from zoo to zoo as to how well they are being provided for. While zoos can save some animals, they can also restrict them. I personally love going and seeing animals in zoos, but I do not do it anymore because of the stigma surrounding them. I will, however, go to animal conservation places that take injured animals and help them heal. I think that is a good way to save animals and allows people to be educated.