Zoo Good or Harm Essay Sample

Envision a life where your species is critically endangered, you are miserably seeking shelter, food, and water. This is the reality for numerous species in the wild. Luckily some people dedicate their careers to educating people about conservation while providing a safe environment for these threatened species. I believe that zoos are an animal's best chance at survival.

In addition to my previous statement, zoos also focus on captive breeding. What this means is that they actively focus on delisting endangered species. According to https://taronga.org.au, “The California Condor was once on the brink of extinction — there were only 27 left. The birds were taken into captivity to begin a breeding program to help save the California Condor from extinction. Now there are hundreds of these huge birds in the Californian skies thanks to the dedicated conservation efforts of San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo.” This is just one example of a species that has been revived by the zoo's captive breeding program. For example, zoos also saved the Golden Lion Tamarin from extinction. CNN.com reports, In the 1960s and 70s, this small monkey, found only in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, was driven to the brink of extinction. A combination of deforestation and the pet trade reduced the population to just a few hundred individuals until nearly 150 zoos joined forces to save the species. They started a global captive breeding program which, together with efforts from Brazilian conservationists to protect its forest home, has helped increase the number of wild golden lion tamarins to more than 3,500.”

Concerning this, zoos also help raise money for field conservation. Field conservation is an effort that directly contributes to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats. According to author Nabila Aziz, Developer for the International Species Information System Developer for the International Species Information System, A study by Patricia et al., 2007 states that conservation and education are key elements in the mission statements of zoos. A survey conducted by The Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), revealed that the general public rates conservation and education as the most important roles of zoos (Fraser and Stickler 2008). Most zoos mention conservation and education in their mission statements suggesting that these are rather important aspects of zoo culture. So how do zoos support conservation? Zoos primarily deal with three aspects of conservation – practice, advocacy, and research. Conservation practice involves captive breeding, species reintroduction programs, Species survival projects, and the use of zoo income for conservation programs in the wild. The Organization of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) nowadays declares that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums play a role of $160 million a year in wildlife conservation, supporting over 2,650 conservation plans in 130 countries. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), announced today that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums contribute $160 million a year to wildlife conservation, supporting more than 2,650 conservation projects in 130 countries.  “AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are global leaders in wildlife conservation,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “While AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide great care for animals in their facilities, they are also working around the world to have a positive impact on many imperiled species.”

Though zoos aid the environment and many species, some may say that zoos are cruel. There are instances where zoos have failed to provide proper care for the animals. According to https://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/zoos.htm, “The major problem with zoos is that the animals who live there are kept in enclosures that don't allow them to live their lives naturally. No matter how big some zoos try to make the enclosures, no matter how many branches they put in them, no matter how beautiful they make the background paintings on the wall, they don't compare with the natural habitat the animals were meant to be in.” This may be the case for some zoos, but this is not the case for the vast majority. Evidence to disprove that animals are unhappy in the enclosure would be this article from https://bgr.com/science/social-distancing-impact-animals-fish/, “Quite a few of the fish started behaving a little bit strange, almost even sulking a little bit,” Barnes told ABC, noting that one of the facility’s most popular fish, a massive grouper named Chang, is not himself lately. “He stopped eating for a few weeks and is still having a bit of a sook. A lot of people don’t realize that animals can see outside of the tank and see the people, they enjoy the human interaction.”

Curiously, it seems that the lull due to a lack of human interaction isn’t limited to animals in captivity. Some of the well-known fish personalities that call the Great Barrier Reef home are feeling the effects as well. One fish, a Maori wrasse named Wally, has been “missing the crowds,” according to Dan Gabbut, a tour guide who takes visitors to see the reef and its wealth of wildlife.” This shows that the animals benefit from the zoo experience, and can come to miss it and its visitors. 

Zoos do more good than harm. They are responsible for the delisting of several species and provide safe, healthy environments for numerous animals. Animals are not only healthy but happy in their enclosure. Safety in an enclosure is better than danger in the wild.