Pros and Cons of Animals in Zoos

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Pros and Cons of Animals in Zoos

Zoos are found all around the world and many of them are quite advanced, offering a variety of natural habitats. Many zoos don’t contain the animals in steel bar enclosures any longer. They have opted for moats and ditches as a way of separating the animals from the humans that go to see them. There are pros and cons for zoos and it’s important to understand them both.

What Are the Pros of Animals in Zoos?

1. Maintain a Healthy Population.
There are many pros to zoos and particularly with many species that don’t do well with mating in the wild, can be one of the best ways to keep a species alive and well.

2. Support Conservation Programs.
Many zoos have conservation programs in place that are designed to promote mating and help to increase the population of a species. This includes programs that will one day re-introduce some of the animals within the zoo back into the wild.

3. Provide Education to the Public.
There are also educational programs that allow kids and adults alike to learn more about animals and the importance of respecting them, in the zoo and the wild. Many people are more apt to provide funding to zoos and the different conservation programs when they understand more about the animals. There may be opportunities to feed the animals, watch them perform tricks, and more.

4. Help Us Learn More About Species.
Zoos will often provide an opportunity to scientific research. This includes learning about new medicine as well as new medical techniques that will allow vets to care for animals and provide a greater level of health.

What Are the Cons of Animals in Zoos?

1. Animals Placed in High Stress Environments.
There are quite a few cons of zoos, too. It is going to depend on the actual zoo as well as the animals that are in conservation. Many of the animals, such as zebras and gazelles, are often stressed in zoo situations because they were designed to run across miles of terrain. While many zoos provide them with a lot of room, it is not as much as they would have in the wild.

2. Unhealthy Living Conditions.
Many zoos also don’t have the conditions that are ideal for the animals. There are still zoos that use concrete slabs to keep the animals in, which can be much different than the raw earth that they are used to. Concrete can be cold, and not be as good on their feet as the soil of their natural habitat. It can also lead to aggression when the animals feel trapped and surrounded.

3. Poor Nutrition and Lack of Funding.
There are also zoos that are not getting the funding that they need, so it can result in limited diets, repetitive behaviors, and much more.

You are always going to find pros and cons with zoos and the truth is, it is going to depend on the zoo. There are some that offer better programs than others and some animals simply thrive in conservation areas better than they do in the wild.