Some people state that zoos shouldn’t exist due to poor quality of animals’ life inside of cages. I agree with this viewpoint, especially if arguments such as ethical concerns, unnatural living conditions, and loss of instinctive behaviour are taken. This essay is intended to explore the reasons why zoos’ existence should be questioned in the modern society.
First and foremost, living in captivity affects animals’ physical and psychological health. Imagine a powerful lion, from African savanna, now surviving in a small artificial cage with no space to run or hunt. Such conditions force animals to live far from their natural behaviors and instincts. This causes stress, aggression, and sometimes even depression in them. Although some zoos try to recreate natural habitats, they still aren’t capable of providing the freedom of wildlife.
Moreover, keeping animals for entertainment purposes has strong ethical issues. Animals, just like humans, are living creatures with feelings, needs, and the right to live freely. Forcing them into cages for visitors’ enjoyment is unfair and cruel. People who support zoos often say that they are educational. However, true understanding of nature can only be achieved by watching animals in their natural environments, either through documentaries or safaris that do not harm wildlife. The fact that animal species do not behave naturally behind the closed doors of barrier should also be taken into account.
To conclude, I believe that zoos shouldn’t have a permission to exist. They reduce animals to objects of entertainment, damage their mental state, and give them poor quality of life. Instead, we should focus on saving wildlife in natural settings and treating all species, whether it is a cat or a snake, with respect. Moreover, current technology allows us to travel around the globe and connect with our furry friends without capturing and torturing them.