For many people, the zoo is a source of childhood amazement and fond memories: swinging monkeys, laughing hyenas and growling tigers. Conservationists say zoos advance their educational and preservationist efforts, but others see zoos as prisons where innocent creatures are unjustly held captive. The next time your child asks you to take them to the zoo, what will your answer be?
Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo
Along with conservation comes valuable research. The more we learn about animals, the better we can preserve them and provide for their needs. Zoos are not perfect, but I assure you that they are getting better everyday. Thirty years ago animals were enclosed in small areas made of concrete and metal bars. However, the enclosures have improved by leaps and bounds since then. Today animal habitats in zoos have been created to closely resemble the animals’ natural habitat in the wild. With each day, new information is uncovered and additional steps are being taken to continue improving the lives of animals living in zoological parks.
Recreation is an important factor to consider as well. There are over 200 accredited zoos in America, and last year nearly 160 million people visited zoos and aquariums – this makes visiting zoos the largest recreational activity in the country. Zoos provide the opportunity for people to come together and learn about the creatures we share the planet with, all while supporting wildlife conservation programs for thousands of animal species.
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