Should Animals be Kept in Zoos?

Should Animals be Kept in Zoos?

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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Should Animals be Kept in Zoos?
  • chris forkasiewicz
    unjust

    imprisonment of animals for the such trivial purposes as entertainment and education! there is unjust and violates the fundamental interest individual animals have in living free from human oppression.
    the wild is no paradise..
    even so, this is not a justification of the enslavement of nonhumen sentient beings, it represses them makes them miserable. sincere enslavement is an oxymoron where it means permanent imprisonment of individual animals for the supposed benefit of a 'species interest', if anybody buys into that at all..the whole argument of 'it's soo dangerous out there..come live in this cage where it's safe' is bogus.
    animals must be free to live their lives their own way, according to their own natures and free from human exploitation.

    chris forkasiewicz,
    your friendly vegan abolitionist

    - chris forkasiewiczPL August 6, 2008 1:42PM

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    • veganpanda
      re: unjust

      I agree that animals should not be imprisoned in zoos! Zoos are no more than animal prisons, they are only there to make money & lots of it. The animal's feelings are the last thing the zoos care about, they have been ripped away from their homelands, from their family groups... it's sick!

      Also a friendly vegan abolitionist :o)

      - veganpandaGB September 10, 2008 1:24PM

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    • QuinceyQuick
      "Makes them miserable."

      Curious. Has anybody done a study on animals' neurological pathways in zoos vs. out of zoos?

      - QuinceyQuickUS January 27, 2009 10:34AM

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    • popabear
      unjust

      well I disagree if many cases animals in zoo's are cared for better than one's in the wild and in alot of cases the animal that is encaged is endangered and in same cases unable to care for themselves.Now even in the case where the animal is healthly or not endangered they got it made food brouhgt to them and a inhouse doctored, and how do you know how it makes them feel you linked into there brain no you are just asumming that.I don't know anyone who doesn't like going to the zoo and seeing animal's otherwise they would not be able to.

      - popabearUS November 4, 2009 9:20AM

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    • Caracalover
      Trivial?

      Entertainment and education are not trivial, and are an absolute in human nature. In down economic times, people will still find money for entertainment , and education. To call them trivial is ignorant. As a vegan you likely feel that you are saving the planet, when in fact the agriculture industry has been at the forefront of the encroachment problem, and continues to grow. Look at the rainforests that are being burned by the locals to plant food crops and you will get an education that is not trivial.

      Also go to Sumatra, one of the last places you might find a tiger living wild, and you will find yourself driving through palm plantations, and not much else. Palm plantations for hours and hours.

      The idea of keeping animals "free" and in the wild is no longer viable in too many areas. Support the people that are at least taking proactive steps to give animals (like tigers) a chance to survive - and even thrive - through habitat creation in an enclosed state. Humans can do great things with the proper attitude, and help.

      In the USA it is said by many that there are more tigers than exist in the wild. It is in the nature of these animals to survive, so they have learned to thrive in captivity. Why would you choose to destroy that habitat as well? Is it because they eat meat ? Do you think humans are such terrible creatures they can't be trusted with another animals welfare? I assure you many humans care for animals more than they care for other humans, or in some cases, even themselves.

      - CaracaloverUS November 14, 2009 4:09PM

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  • Jack Hanna
    Jack Hanna is the director emeritus for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and host of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” and “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures.”... More

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