The only way I endorse zoos are if they are housing animals that can not survive in their natural habitat due to previous injury. If the animal is healthy they need to be free not imprisoned.
Yes but what most people don't realize is that the animals in zoos today were born and raised in captivity, and as such, they cannot be released into the wild. They will slowly starve to death. Better to give them a comfortable home in a zoo.
Also, zoos perform an important function in preserving species that are extinct or nearly extinct in the wild. Most modern zoos participate in Species Survival Plans to try to keep these animals from dying out. They also help educate people about animals and their environments.
However, i have to agree that certain animals do not belong in captivity. It's sad to see a tiger pacing up and down trying to find a way out of its cage. These animals usually have a territory of 60 square miles, and simply
cannot be happy in a zoo habitat no matter how much enrichment it recieves. other animals seriously don't seem to know the difference.
I also don't approve of keeping large marine mammals like orcas in small tanks and making them perform tricks all day long. Not much better than a circus if you ask me.
