Is there a moral case for zoos in 2008?

Question

In an age where TV and the internet gives us all the information we need about the life forms on our planet, and where many endangered species are moved to specially created conservation areas in their natural habitat, is there any good moral reason to have animals on public display in zoos in 2008?

Answer 1

TV and the internet can go only so far in educating and motivating the public. You can't match a good zoo in this regard.

Further, where would our captive breeding programs be without zoos? A great deal of effort goes into exchange of breeding animals of imperilled animals so as to avoid inbreeding while bringing a species back from the brink of extinction.

Finally, consider that longevity is greater in zoos than in the wild. I'd say that there is not only a moral case for zoos but a moral imperative.

Answer 2

Please don't try to force your morals on the rest of us. If you are against the zoos, then stay home. Is there no end to what people are trying to stop other people from doing?

Answer 3

there you go! animals treated better than man

Answer 4

No and yes. Zoos' claim to help endangered species in their charge with breeding programs to keep populations healthy. However there has been limited success in reintroducing  any  endangered species, and I feel it's more about money for most zoos than the animal care or conservation.

Answer 5

Zoos are not only for display! Specially those that are sanctioned and operated by State Governments, they are used for Zoological research.  Our Government does not condone capturing animals from the wild and bringing them to the zoos anymore.  All animals in our Zoos, (at least in the US) were bred from captivity or rescued from other overseas zoos or from private owners.  Display of these animals are just secondary, the primary is research.

Alvin

Answer 6

The only thing I would add to some of the great ideas posted here is; don't forget about the plants! Zoos have made great advances in creating mini ecosystems for their animals that include native botany as well. The days of cages are going away, which is good. Some day we might get so good at our zoo presentations, that I for one wouldn't mind living in one as opposed to the real world!

Answer 7

no, there is no moral case to be made for having zoos they all should be shut down.

Answer 8

I use to work with the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.  I think zoos across the world are doing much for species recovery; research; education; habitat development / protection; etc., then the general public realizes.

I think zoos are doing meaningful, significant and far ranging work in helping save a great number of the planet's endangered species.

Something else to keep in mind -- of all the endangered species in North American zoos these days (from tigers, to kiwis, to condors) less than 3% were taken from the wild.  Most of those were due to injury!

Answer 9

Public display = money

Money=>>> conservation of animals

Conservation=Good

Thats how I'd argue it

Answer 10

Where are we getting the information on the TV and internet?  From research done in the field, in the lab, or in a ZOO.  Many animals in a zoo are indeed research animals.  Their public display simply raises funds for research to continue and for researchers to make a living.  

I must say that I don't like zoos.  I think that staring at an animal in a cage is depressing, but I don't find zoos immoral.  At least, not anymore.  I think one of the most depressing moments of my life was when I saw the old "bear pits" at the zoo in Washington DC.  They are just concrete cells.  I was a small child and I could just imagine these bears sitting in the bottom of these pits with people staring at them through the bars.

Answer 11

Who do you think places animals in conservation areas in their natural habitat.....ZOOS do.  Zoos run endangered species breeding programs to replace animals into the wild. If not for zoos the California Condor would now be extinct.  It was brought back from the brink of extinction by the Los Angeles and the San Diego Zoo.  Also, zoos do not take animals out of the wild to be placed into zoos..that stopped YEARS ago..all zoo animals where born in a zoo.  I find that when people see an animal up close and personal in a zoo, that they tend to care more about those species and their habitat in the wild.  If someone sees a photo on the web or a TV program about a wild animal it may not impact them the way seeing this same animal in real life would. Besides zoos, the only way for people to see such a variety of live animals would be for them to be world travelers.  This is not the case for MOST of the population..so zoos are the next best thing.  Going to the zoo when I was a kid inspired me to study zoology and to pursue a career in wildlife.  I grew up a city kid and my ONLY access to seeing any animal besides a seagull, a pigeon, or a stray dog..was....the zoo!!  

See info below for the endangerd species program at the San Diego Zoo.

http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/