Many researchers claim that it is beneficial for animals to reside in zoos; however, others disagree with their points of view. The disadvantages of living in zoos do not outweigh the advantages, as the main benefit is connecting humanity with nature through animals.
The first advantage of keeping creatures in zoos is the opportunity to study them closely. For people—especially children—it is of paramount importance to discover a wide range of animals by visiting fascinating zoos in large cities. This allows visitors to gain vital information about animals’ characteristics, size, and physical features. Seeing animals in real life provides many opportunities, such as feeding them, hearing their sounds, and experiencing their smell, which often broadens zoo guests’ horizons.
Another upside is the direct access to observing nearly all types of creatures from around the world. By attending a zoo, individuals can see animals that live in distant regions, such as the Russian bear, the Australian dolphin, or the Indian tiger. This is an essential point, as zoos create a space where humans and animals can unite in one location. Without zoos, humans would not have the opportunity to observe many species.
However, there is a downside to keeping animals confined in closed and limited areas. By doing so, we undermine the rights of these creatures. They were created to live in the wild, within their natural environment and alongside their packs. As a result, they are separated from their dams (mothers) and packmates, which violates their fundamental rights.
In conclusion, the negative side of separating animals from their natural habitats does not outweigh the positive side, as zoos strongly connect city residents with wildlife and offer chances to gain reliable information by observing animals in real life. Nevertheless, on the other hand, keeping them in cages has the drawback of separating them from their parents.