[Jungle]

A topic regarding zoos has been popping-up a lot recently. A lot of people are debating whether they still hold a purpose or not, and of course - a lot of people still continue to say that having zoos is animal cruelty.

What do you guys think?

Zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a wholesome, family activity. Seeing an animal in person is a much more personal and more memorable experience than seeing that animal in a nature documentary. Zoos brings humans and animals together. They educate humans and foster an appreciation of the animals. This exposure and education motivates people to protect the animals. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and last but not least - predators. Many zoos also have what they call breeding programs, which are mainly used for endangered species. In the wild, a lot of animals do have trouble finding mates and breeding. Many zoos provides an enriched habitat, in which the animals are never bored, are well cared for, and have plenty of space. Oh, zoos also help rehabilitate wildlife and take in exotic pets that humans no longer want or are no longer able to care for.  


Some would argue that humans have little, if any duty to non-human animals, because humans are more important, and if keeping animals in zoos serves any educational or entertainment purposes, we can ethically do it.


I could go on and on. Sure, I sometimes think about how the animals do feel in zoos, but it's for the best - for both humans and the animals.

[Kyugi]

The sad thing is, that I have seen a lot of zoos where animals live in poor enviroment and poor condition and only in a few cases, somebody does something against it.

[Asura]

I like Zoos because I'll be able to see an animal up close in person and maybe interact with them. I have yet to visit a Zoo that treats the animals poorly but aware that those exists sadly.

[mothered]

The sad thing is, that I have seen a lot of zoos where animals live in poor enviroment and poor condition and only in a few cases, somebody does something against it.

This ^^^

The animal's environment needs to be as close as their natural environment In the wild. As with humans, animals do get stressed and they too have feelings and emotions. Personally, I love the zoo (I attend quite often) and the one In my locality Is very well maintained.

[jp121270]

I agree that some zoos are too small, and do not care for the animals in a proper manner. I also think those types of zoos can easily be removed if we had higher standards for zoos. I also think zoos are an important organization in our environmentally destructive society, and in some cases these zoos are the last place to fight against extinction.