Recently, lots of animal’s rights activists are stating that zoos should be abolished. However, Kim Eun-Seong, the owner of the Seoul zoo said that zoos provide helpful habitats for the animals and therefore, zoos are essential for the preservation of precious animals. Therefore, zoos should not be abolished because they are beneficial not only for animals but also for humans. Nowadays, lots of animal-rights organizations want to ban zoos for animal’s freedom and there are some reasons of their opinion. First, animals suffer from stress, boredom and being kept in small enclosures. Being kept in small and cramped enclosures is unsuitable for the animals as they lack exercise. Polar bears for example they are given about 10 meters of walking space in the zoo.(Aspina, 2013) Second, animals could not adjust in wild habitants. In the wild, these individuals might have trouble finding mates and breeding. Zoos protect endangered animals but zoos make it harder for animals to live in their natural habitat. However, I personally believe that zoos are not a bad place for animals. Actually, there are more benefits than disadvantages. First, zoos are slowly changed to support animal rights.
For example, the first zoos were created as private collections to called menageries, and they were more like a circus. However, modern zoos are meant to entertain and used to educate the public.(chinadaily, 2013) Second, zoos place emphasizes on scientific research and species conservation and giving animals more space and recreating natural habitats. Zoos help rehabilitate wildlife and take in exotic pets that people no longer want or are no longer able to care for. Also, zoos preserve wild animals and protect endangered animals.(animalsrights, 2013) Third, children could see various animals that are from faraway lands that they might not be able to travel to and even if they do get a chance they might not be able to see those animals. Seeing an animal in person is a much more personal and more memorable experience than seeing that animal in a nature documentary. (freemalaysiatoday, 2013) In my opinion, to make better zoos for animals, the zoo animals need larger areas and the freedom to roam, as well as more mental stimulation and overall more attention. Also, make more zoos to accommodate more animals and protect more endangered animals.
I am convinced that we could make better environments for animals by improving living conditions for all its animals. What if the species becomes extinct in the wild? Extinction is a tragedy. It is a tragedy from an environmental standpoint because other species may suffer and because it may indicate an environmental problem such as loss of wild habitat or climate change. Lastly, Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology at the University of Colorado said, “It is important to remember that when humans choose to use animals, the animals invariably have no say in these decisions. They cannot give their consent. Animals depend on our goodwill and mercy. They depend on humans to have their best interests in mind.”(freemalaysiatoday, 2013)
In conclusion, a zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. There are lots of animals which are protected by human’s hand. From an animal rights standpoint, we do not have a right to breed, capture and confine other animals, even if they are endangered. Being a member of an endangered species doesn’t mean the individual animals have fewer rights. Also, zoos are good because they provide education and entertainment to the people. Thus, for both the animals and the people zoos should not be abolished.
