Why are zoos important and how are they used as conservation education tools?

Question

Why are zoos important and how are they used as conservation education tools?

Answer 1

Many zoos exploit animals for financial gain. I would not consider this to be important.

Answer 2

They aren't.  They're entertainment venues, like movie theaters and Disneyland.

Answer 3

People need to meet the animals to care for them. Otherwise its  "out of sight, out of mind". Zoos have special events that parents can bring their children to. There are people who are trained in teaching children (and adults) about animals and conservation. Some zoos even lead safaris in Africa!

Another thing is that many zoos have what is called a Species Survival Plan for animals in their care. They breed animals in captivity and make sure they are not inbred. Some are even released into the wild. The scimitar horned oryx (kind of like an antelope) was extinct in the wild in 1970, but zoos banded together and now there is a population of them in a sanctuary, who are being bred for eventual release to the wild. There have been similar stories about Barbary Coast lions, Mongolian ponies, the California Condor, and so on.

Answer 4

they provide  ist hand educatioal exp.