Should animals be kept in zoos?

Should animals be kept in zoos?

1. Zoos educate the general public and are beneficial for scientific research, and work toward conservation efforts and captive breeding.

   • The public is able to get hands-on education about animals they may not be able to meet and learn about them in their own habitat.
     • Served good quality food with plenty of water, zoo residents are periodically checked by a veterinarian and treated for any illnesses or injuries. They can be assisted with reproductive issues and enjoy a higher quality of life than might be experienced in their native habitat.
       • Wild animals in captivity will never have to fight for survival. They will not have to defend their terrain or to protect the herd, so their lives lasts a little longer

2. Captive breeding isn’t always effective because zoos do not provide natural habitats, and also put or createunnecessary stress on animals.

   • Reintroduced animals to their wildlife have have a high mortality rates because they are poorly adapted and lack the skills needed to survive in the wild.
     • Animal’s well-being is dependent on their environment, some contend that zoos do not provide healthy habitats for animals.
       • Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not.