Traditional ways of observing animals through caged enclosures or glass walls are facing a stronger backlash, with people raising concerns about the harmful impact on animals. Even though there are supporters which draw a generally positive picture of zoos, I believe that simple entertainment should not come at cost of animal sufferings. This essay will provide arguments for both views, outlining the reasons to zoos being unnecessary and outdated.
Advocates for zoos emphasize their indispensable role in battling species extinction while making education about animals entertaining. Indeed, many zoos participate in captive breeding programs and cooperate with scientists in related fields for research purposes. For example, the Chinese government funds zoos that breed pandas to provide a safety net for the dwindling of those species, to protect against poachers, and to conduct observational studies. Moreover, there are assumptions that direct contact raises awareness of those issues, promoting love for wildlife and sustainability.
Despite those promising objectives, there are more updated ways of achieving them. In an ideal setting, where zoos are properly regulated and conditions of animal breeding are up to standard, both educational and conservational means are satisfied. However, the dominating number of zoos in less developed parts of the world are forced to drop the costs of maintaining the facility, resulting in inhumane conditions for helpless animals. Besides, there is no research backing the fact that direct contact with animals encourages changing attitudes. People prefer visiting zoos primarily to entertain their children, finding the experience mostly dull, as animals are unstimulated in those unnatural settings. From my perspective, there is a better solution to introduce wildlife through animal sanctuaries, wildlife reserves or safari parks, to safely observe wildlife in their natural habitat while minimizing human impact on the animals and their environment.
In conclusion, reasons to support the existence of facilities that degrade the role of animals are primarily unfounded. The world has introduced innovative alternatives that generate even higher social and economic value, which I believe are likely to entirely replace the traditional zoos in the near future.