Should Animals be Kept in Zoos?

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A recent survey funded by the National Science Foundation provided strong evidence that Zoos are successfully educating visitors. Key results of the study found that:

•    Visits to accredited zoos and aquariums prompt individuals to reconsider their role in environmental problems and conservation action, and to see themselves as part of the solution.

•    Visitors believe zoos and aquariums play an important role in conservation education and animal care.

•    Visitors feel they experience a stronger connection to nature as a result of their visit.

•    Visitors bring with them a higher-than-expected knowledge about basic ecological concepts. Zoos and aquariums support and reinforce the values and attitudes of the visitor.

Additionally, a recent Harris poll found that 85 percent of their respondents felt that a zoo visit encouraged people to donate money or time to wildlife conservation projects.

Regarding zoos’ conservation activities, in 2006 in addition to the long term cooperative captive conservation breeding efforts taking place in AZA zoos, over $16 million was raised to fund over 1700 conservation, research and education programs in 98 countries. Those numbers increase annually.

I would disagree with how Argument 2 characterizes the impact of captivity on animals kept in modern, well run zoos. Certainly no one wants to gain greater understanding of how to meet all the needs of all wild animal species held in captivity more than zoos do. In fact, over half of the sources of funding cited for this Oxford study were zoos. However, it’s not clear which other zoos were included as subjects of the study; how many were forward thinking zoos and how many were small, poorly funded facilities; and, if the study occurred over four decades as indicated in Argument 2, how much the results were skewed by data that was gathered in antiquated facilities utilizing archaic management practices 20 – 40 years ago? It’s noteworthy that the conclusions drawn by the authors of the study included “more space or day to day changes” to improve conditions. In fact, modern zoos address both of these issues on an on-going basis through the construction of spacious, state-of-the-art housing; implementation of modern preventative health care and nutrition programs; application of up-to-date husbandry techniques; and development of dynamic environmental and psychological enrichment programs.

I wouldn’t be the first to point out that one of the issues about the conclusions of the Oxford study that we all should find troubling is that the same types of animals the authors believe to be the most difficult to keep well in captivity – those that have large home ranges -- are also the hardest to preserve in the wild. As wilderness habitats shrink, the importance of modern zoos will only increase with regards to conserving these wide ranging species.

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Most zoo visitors usually spend only a few minutes or seconds at each display, seeking entertainment rather than enlightenment. Even the March 2007 issue of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums magazine Connect details a study that found visitors to zoos rarely “ retained even a few basic facts. When asked “What did you learn at this exhibit?” the most popular answer was “Nothing.”

An article in the November 2006 issue notes that: “…learning is not a popular reason for people to visit zoos and aquariums. Everyone would like it to be true, but the specifics and logic of how casual visits to zoos really function in the conservation movement remains unproven.”

Captive animals are mere shells of their wild counterparts. People learn nothing about animals’ natural lives and behaviors by watching them languish in manmade habitats and unnatural circumstances. Zoos often prevent animals from engaging in basic innate behaviors such as flying, swimming, running, hunting, climbing, scavenging, and selecting a mate.  

Instead of using funds to enrich and improve the lives of the animals, zoos consistently spend money to make improvements to entertain and accommodate people. Zoos all over are paying to revamp their entrances, parking lots, concession stands, and other human conveniences.

The only thing zoos teach people is that it is acceptable to manipulate animals for our own purposes. People who truly care about animals—and want to help save them—know that this is the wrong lesson.