Zoos have long been a subject of a heated debate, with some people regarding them cruel institutions and others viewing them as crucial for conserving animals. While zoos may negatively impact the well being of sentient beings, I hold a belief that they are useful in saving animals on the verge of extinction.
Opponents of zoos cite various reasons to support their view. They assert that keeping animals in zoos is unethical. This is mainly because animals are social and territorial creatures and they have propensities to hunt and roam vast areas. Confining animals to enclosures for human entertainment may disrupt their natural behaviours, which can lead to psychological distress and a feeling of isolation. Animals such as orcas in marine parks in Uzbekistan illustrate this point well : they frequently exhibit signs of depression, self harm and unusual traits, which can clearly demonstrate the harmful impact of restricted living conditions. From this viewpoint, zoos tend to serve less educational purposes and bring about negative effects on animals’ welfare both physically and psychologically.
Nevertheless, I am inclined to believe that zoos present a wide range of benefits in terms of scientific research and preservation. Zoos and ecological studies provide a safe and secure haven for species on the brink of extinction. Captive populations can be carefully managed and looked after, and in some cases they are successfully reintroduced into their natural environment. The Arabian oryx is a compelling example : thanks to conservation and breeding programmes in zoological settings this species has been reintegrated to its natural habitats, which shows the positive potential of such initiatives.
In conclusion, although ethical concerns regarding enclosures are reasonable, I believe that zoos play a key role in preventing animals from going extinct through successful breeding programs.