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THE PROS AND CONS OF ZOOS
In order to get a proper understanding of the controversies behind zoos, we must first examine the positive and negative aspects of them. Pros • Prevention of animal extinction • Education of the public about animals they wouldn’t see otherwise • Increased lifespan of the animals • Medical care for animals is more accessible • Breeding programs prevent inbreeding and promotes the best possible mating pairs. Cons • Many people do not treat the animals properly, and with respect. • Many of the captive animals do not have the proper facilities to simulate a natural habitat. • Before proper breeding programs were implemented, animals were obtained through poaching and illegal animal trades. • Moral dilemmas concerning the treatment of the animals and their captivity. • Many zoos are not AZA accredited and private, which prevents caretakers from providing the best care for the animals. The best way for you to shorten this "cons" list is to only support AZA accredited zoos! |
Since their conception, zoos have been plagued by controversy. “The animals are held captive”, “But we can learn so much from captive animals”, “But they aren't happy”, “But they live longer in captivity”. You have heard these arguments over and over, but if public opinion is that zoos are that bad, then why do they still exist? While they are not perfect, they must hold some value or else they wouldn't exist. While you may not agree with the principle of zoos, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is making leaps forward in the advancement of zoo care, respect, and conservation for the animals. Ever wonder what your spirit animal is? Check out our quiz to find out! *Highlight responses from our twitter chat question: Do you view all zoos as good or bad for the animals? Why?
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Ted Fox, the director at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, talks about AZA membership and reducing their carbon footprint!