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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?
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Zoos Cannot Replicate Wild Animals' Habitats
Self-evident
I suppose it could be argued that a zoo could create a reasonable environment for something like a butterfly. But then again, some butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year! In my view, it is self-evident that a zoo cannot create a "natural" environment for an elephant, a walrus, a lion, a rhinocerous, etc. Whether what the zoos do create is "comfortable" or not - well, you'll have to ask the animals. Alligators seem happy enough in zoos, but who knows?
I'm not A PETA person. I think most of them have too much time on their hands. But I don't see the value of zoos in the 21st century. I think there is a level of cruelty there, borne out willfully ignoring our increasing knowledge of animal behavior and evolution. If I were king, I would phase them out.
- JackNYC September 3, 2008 3:56PM
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