Are all zoos bad??

Question

I've only been exploring the veg lifestyle for about 5 months, and I'm not clear on the zoo issue. I thought zoos were a good thing that were put in place to help re-populate the planet with certain species. Am I wrong? I know there are some zoos that aren't good, but are ALL of them bad? How can you TELL if a zoo is good or bad?

Answer 1

no zoos are good

Answer 2

The answer depends on who you are asking. Any Vegan will tell you that caging a wild animal and removing it from its habitat is exploiting it.

Vegetarians however may be divided on this issue. Some of us will agree with the Vegans on this one while for some of us, having the ability to introduce our children and grandchildren to the  natural world even in a constructed situation that can at best approximate its natural habitat is a huge blessing. Not only for the kids; but for the adults as well.. The experience not only exposes people to worlds other than their own but to a consciousness that is not human also. They get to experience an animal in the flesh -- even at a remove -- and that is both awe inspiring and tremendously valuable in teaching respect for the rest of God's kingdom.

This is equally true of Sea Animals and Aquariums. Where else will children get to see these animals up close?  Especially the sea anemonies, corals, and bottom feeders? Where else does the average child get to experience a giant Barnacle waving in friendly fashion as it sieve planton from the seawater?  Furthermore at some Zoos, like Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the Baltimore and Kansas City GZoos, the animals are provided with space to roam in and are given care that would not be available to them in the wild. So this is one of those things where you will have to explore, do your own research, and critical thinking. Personally, I love taking the family to the Zoo. Talking with the kids about the animals and drawing them. It is fun, educational and a great way to share with the kids, and get to know them better -- what they think, how they perceive the world. That is great family fun.

Answer 3

they are good. except not petting zoos

Answer 4

A good zoo is a zoo that tries to approximate, as closely as possible, the animal's natural habitat, and does its best to provide for the animal's needs.

When I think of this, two different zoos stand out to me. At one, the exhibits are nice enough, but built with the visitor's interests in mind rather than the animal's. The cages were smaller simply so the animals would be closer for the people to see.

At the other zoo, the vast majority of the animals were kept in vast, naturalistic cages. The African grasslands exhibit truly looked like a grasslands, with a huge amount of land fenced in and made to look like a savanna, and with herds of various antelope, giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roaming it. The elephant exhibit was huge and allowed for a complex social group to emerge, and the chimpanzee exhibit was phenomenally designed. Many other animals were having their enclosures renovated as well. Sure, the visitors may not have been able to see the animals as well. However, the animals were content.

Which of the zoos would you have considered "better?"

I support zoos, because they truly do play a very important role in the conservation of animals. In third-world countries it can be difficult, if not impossible, to protect endangered species. Zoos provide a safe haven for these animals and ensure the survival of the species.

I don't think that zoos should exist only because of the visitors. Their goal should be to give the animals the best environment possible, while educating the public on the importance of conservation.

*As for The Angel's Devil's response, I do agree that poor, badly financed zoos treat their animals cruelly. However, in modern, state-of-the-art zoos, animals are rarely used to exhibit tricks, and those that are are trained using positive reinforcement (like clicker training). In fact, in good zoos, most of the animals are treated better than most pets- receiving amazing medical care, specialized diets, and constant reevaluation of their emotional and physical health.

Answer 5

No not all. Many zoos are halfway houses for rescued injured animals which are then reintroduced to their natural habitat after rehab. Many are also breeding animals which are otherwise endangered and again reintroducing them into the wild. Many also provide education and promote awareness of the the natural world. Many future animal rights activists/environmentalist get their first introduction to the natural world at zoos. Many of the more popular environmentalists like Jack Hannah are employed by or are consultants at zoos. In such places, animals are very well taken care of and the money gained from the viewing public is used for research and other beneficial purposes

Unfortunately, there is a dark flip side to all this good by zoos who operate solely for profit or those who have a severe shortage of funds no matter how noble their intentions might be. Usually you will find the enclosures inadequate, animals under fed or suffering from some illness and worse outright physically abused. Also, of course zoos help directly or indirectly promote the wild animal trade industry in which many, too many animals die before they even get to a zoo.

Answer 6

Zoos are good because they are for the education and pleasure of human beings. Zoos are not there for the animals benefit. However, sometimes zoos do benefit species that are dwindling in numbers by providing a safe haven for them. That happens to be an unintended consequence. Zoos are for our pleasure and that is why they exist. That is a good thing. After all, humans are more important than animals.

Answer 7

Most are good.

Answer 8

not all are bad

Answer 9

I would say that without zoos there would be many more animals that would be extinct now.  Zoos heighten awareness of the true beauty of exotic animals and encourage the conservation of all species around the world.   There really are too many species and not enough zoos to prevent most animals from going extinct, although there are some animals that now only exist in captivity.  Without zoos, the California Condor would be extict and the Bald Eagle would of all but disappeared from the west coast.

China and some other countries still use animal parts of rare animals in potions and supposed aprodisiacs including using bear gall, tiger paw, rhino horn and shark fin.   Dogs are still eaten in many countries as well.  Until about 40 years ago, whales were killed for dog food and for making perfume even in the US.

Answer 10

I think ALL are bad, and yes for animals rights, but I think I have a good reason.

The main reason I think ALL zoos are bad, is because most go there to see an animal in it's natural habit. To explore it in wild life, correct? But I feel the opposite. What are we learning about the animal in its "natural, wildlife habit" if it's held in captivity. In my eyes, I see it as a scam, especially since they do not let people see the situation in this prospective. Another reason, would be how they train their animals to do tricks. You'd think if the animal does not feel like practicing that day, that they would see how hard the animal has worked through the animals eyes and let it rest. BUT, they tend to hit the animals, use foul language, and others forces to MAKE the animal cooperate. They do say they try to help endangered species, but I don't feel they really care. In my eyes, I feel as if we can get a man into space, we can make it illegal to hunt these endangered species or be tougher on our punishment when people try to do so. I have nothing at all against people who do choose to go to the zoo, I do think people should see this situation in this way as well.

EDIT:ratherno..., I agree with some of your points, but there are not to many state-of-the-art zoos I know of. And I'm not sure if Sea World counts as a zoo, but I know they train there animals to do tricks, and with the info I have(I will be honest, I don't have to much) I'm not if they train their animals "gently".