PRO
Zoos and aquariums should not exist. Even though people enjoy them and feel that the animals are protected, these false habitats are unfair to the animals. Keeping them in their natural habitats is better because this is where the animals belong; they won’t develop unnatural health problems and are not reliant on keepers to take care of them.
According to Nia Evans of Mother Jones in her article “The Elephant in the Room,” zoos and aquariums can cause animals to develop unnatural illnesses. One reason for this is that zookeepers and aquarists manage the animals’ diets in ways that can lead to health issues such as “obesity and arthritis.” Additionally, in the case of elephants, Evans notes that with a poorly managed diet and limited exercise, elephants face problems that lead to cognitive issues and even early death.
Robert White’s article “Battle to Free Penguins ‘Trapped’ in London Aquarium” talks about the issues that animals that are meant to be outdoors face when they don’t get the daylight and fresh air they need. White reports on a small group of penguins housed in a London Aquarium basement with no natural light. According to experts White spoke to, this lack of natural habitat and limited space can lead to depression and physical issues in the penguins.
In the cases of the elephants and penguins noted here, the lack of access to their true needs has created a dangerous situation where the animals suffer. Zoos and aquariums are not able to fully care for animals or provide the habitats they truly need to thrive, which is because they are in captivity. Even if zoos and aquariums are trying to be fully attentive to their animals, they can never truly imitate their natural habitats, which can and will lead to problems for the animals.
On the other hand, some people think that animals should be kept in zoos and aquariums for conservation and protection. Nick Vadala’s article “Endangered Tiger and Leopard Join Philly Zoo” states that the key role of zoos “…is to protect endangered species from extinction.” Those in favor of zoos may think that keeping animals captive is necessary because it prevents them from facing extinction, but the reality is that their true needs are not being met, which is no better. Vadala’s article also states that “new animals at the zoo go into quarantine before being exhibited full time.” The necessity of quarantine for new zoo animals proves that zoos are not natural habitats. They are more highly controlled and artificial environments designed for public display. Separating animals in isolation causes them to be unfamiliar with the new environment and contributes to the larger issues they face in captivity.
Although some people may think that keeping animals in zoos and aquariums is right because it protects them and allows people to see them, it really isn’t. Allowing animals to live in their natural habitat is better than putting them in zoos and aquariums. In their natural habitat, animals don’t suffer from stress and boredom, which are common issues in captivity. They also don’t develop unnatural health problems that are caused by captivity. Instead of keeping animals in cages and habitats that simulate their environment, we should focus our resources on protecting their natural environments so they can thrive in the wild.
CON
While many people argue that zoos and aquariums are harmful and should not exist, modern institutions show that not all of these institutions function the same way. Some actually focus on rehabilitation, conservation, and education rather than entertainment, which makes them crucial to injured and endangered species.
Across the country, zoos and aquariums attract millions of visitors each year, offering people the chance to see both domestic and wild animals.
Zoos and aquariums play a major role in environmental awareness. Institutions such as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are heavily involved in global awareness efforts, which include breeding programs for endangered species like the giant pandas and northern white rhinos, and research aimed at preventing extinction and educating the public. A lot of these programs help stabilize populations of animals that are struggling in the wild because of habitat loss or climate change.
Similarly, aquariums such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium show how some facilities prioritize rehabilitation over entertainment. Their Sea Otter Rescue Program takes in injured or orphaned otters, rehabilitates them, and, when possible, releases them back into the ocean. This demonstrates that certain aquariums can function more like wildlife recovery centers than traditional exhibits. Another example is the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, which specializes in rescuing marine mammals like seals and sea lions that are injured, sick, or abandoned. Many of these animals are treated and then successfully returned to their natural habitats.
People may argue that keeping animals in captivity is inherently unethical, no matter how modern or well-maintained the institution is, and that even with conservation programs, animals are still being confined to artificial environments that limit their natural behaviors, space, and freedom. However, while these concerns are valid in some cases, they don’t consider the important role that reputable zoos and aquariums play in protecting endangered species and rehabilitating injured wildlife. Without these programs, animals like the Northern White Rhino or rescued marine mammals would have a much lower chance of survival because of human activity. In many cases, zoos and aquariums can act as bridges between extinction and recovery, making them important in the conservation of animals.
