[Z]

I've been asked this question a few times over the course of my life and I never really had much of an opinion either way until really recently... I think it is wrong to keep animals in captivity. You can see them, particularly apex predators, going mad as they pace around the small confines of the area they are kept in and I think it's really upsetting to watch. I've been to zoos before and I've got to say, I don't even feel like I benefitted from it. I think if I lived in a time where we didn't have Google or YouTube, I would marvel at these exotic animals that I'd never seen before - but the fact of the matter is that I don't really care if a zoo has a new panda cub or a new polar bear because I can just google what such things look like, or pick up a book, or if I really wanted, go on some kind of safari to see animals in their natural habitat.

I think zoos belonged to a time when people wanted to explore the world and there was still a lot of mystery out there. That is no longer the case today and I think zoos should become a thing of the past. People don't learn anything from watching animals becoming demented in cages. What, then, is the point of a modern zoo?

[arista]

Yes I agree with Zoo's

[Shaun]

They act more as a go-between for the general public and animal awareness at large, and given the charity work centred in zoos (not to mention adoption) they're pretty harmless, and if anything helpful. Sure, captivity must suck, but the alternative is inevitable extinction in the wild anyway. A large number of species now only exist because of being bred in captivity.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Shaun

They act more as a go-between for the general public and animal awareness at large, and given the charity work centred in zoos (not to mention adoption) they're pretty harmless, and if anything helpful. Sure, captivity must suck, but the alternative is inevitable extinction in the wild anyway. A large number of species now only exist because of being bred in captivity.

If a species isn't capable of surviving in the wild, then is it fair to keep it alive in a zoo? I don't think there's a definitive answer to that question because we could be talking about an animal whose habitat is being destroyed by humans or we could be talking about an animal like a panda which is too lazy to sustain itself... but it's an interesting question nonetheless. Should we be saving something that cannot save itself?

[Shaun]

Well yeah, the large proportion are because of us I suppose it's the least we can do, really.

[Z]

I think it's especially wrong to box in large animals like elephants, rhinos, lions etc... these are gigantic creatures that need to be out in the open. Problems with hunting such animals to extinction are another factor of course... but should we really be putting these animals out on display for our enjoyment? It's interesting how often monkeys and apes escape from zoos... are we keeping them in captivity or are they choosing to stay there?

[joeysteele]

No I don't really, however until there are more larger safari parks where animals can thrive with no fear of poachers they are sadly a place where some animals that may have even become extinct are at least still existing.

I have visited a zoo before,the animals I saw didn't seem that down at all,they were clearly happy being fed and seemed content.
I still would prefer a better way of preserving thir existence though.

[Ellen]

Until we come up with another option for animals that are hunted to the point of extinction & those loosing their natural habitats due to human expansion i think zoo's are fine. Not ideal keeping animals in captivity though.

[arista]

Zee not everyone travels
help the poor see animals

[Kyle]

There are advantages of course but I am always uncomfortable with the idea of animals being penned up. I suppose at least in zoos they have a decent habitat and plenty of room but I will not set foot in a pet shop because I don't like to see them in small pens,

[Z]

The thing that got me thinking about this was actually that snake in Canada that escaped from a pet shop and strangled those two boys... animals are not supposed to be kept in cages, it's unnatural and it's morally wrong in my opinion. I'd never want to own a rabbit or a hamster or a bird for that reason. I always feel sorry for dogs whose owners go out to work all day and have to leave it indoors until they come home. My older brother's cat has never been outside because they live in a flat set back from the motorway and it's not fair on the poor thing.

[Kyle]

You play with fire when you cage animals like that up in such small places. I even split up with a girl cos she had a small fish bowl in her room and 1 fish. I couldn't stand looking at it like that.

[Mrluvaluva]

Zoos are there for man's fascination and nothing else. It's fine to say zoos are good for breeding animals close to extinction in captivity and keeping endangered species safe etc but they most probably wouldn't be in that situation without man's intervention.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Mrluvaluva

Zoos are there for man's fascination and nothing else. It's fine to say zoos are good for breeding animals close to extinction in captivity and keeping endangered species safe etc but they most probably wouldn't be in that situation without man's intervention.

I think deep down we are all aware of that and I don't enjoy going to zoos but while man is still running around making a mess of this planet a zoo is sometimes a safe haven for endangered and severely deflated populations of animals, and it will have to be until we can act more civilised.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

I think deep down we are all aware of that and I don't enjoy going to zoos but while man is still running around making a mess of this planet a zoo is sometimes a safe haven for endangered and severely deflated populations of animals, and it will have to be until we can act more civilised.

But what incentive for humans as a species to be more considerate towards other animals if we just create 'safe havens' for them to go to while we do what we want? It's a destructive cycle. I'm no animal activist by any means but I just fundamentally disagree with keeping animals in captivity, I think.

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

There are advantages of course but I am always uncomfortable with the idea of animals being penned up. I suppose at least in zoos they have a decent habitat and plenty of room but I will not set foot in a pet shop because I don't like to see them in small pens,

Agreed. I don't mind safari parks, much more freedom for the animals, not at all keen on zoos.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Zee

But what incentive for humans as a species to be more considerate towards other animals if we just create 'safe havens' for them to go to while we do what we want? It's a destructive cycle. I'm no animal activist by any means but I just fundamentally disagree with keeping animals in captivity, I think.

Zee I don't want to see them penned up either read my first post, I just don't trust people to look after this planet. If we abolish zoos and safari parks tomorrow we will lose thousands upon thousands of species and genus of animals.

I want to see the human race grow up and act more responsible first.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

Agreed. I don't mind safari parks, much more freedom for the animals, not at all keen on zoos.

Never been to a safari park but i would love to. Being raised on Jurassic park makes me wanna drive around in a jeep and point at animals.

[Nedusa]

I am totally against Zoos in principle as we have no right to keep animals in what is basically an animal prison. I think it is cruel and immoral and as the world now is a much smaller place most people can travel and see animals in more open spaces like safari parks. The sad looks on the faces of some of the larger Zoo animals speaks volumes with a fair proportion of these animals actually going insane by being kept locked up in small cages.

If you really think about it, it is extremely cruel to treat wild animals in this way and hopefully successive generations will change their view on Zoos and hopefully at some point in the future they will be outlawed.

[Livia]

I agree with Zoos like London Zoo, that keep their animals in decent accommodation and participate in work with endangered species. I don't like seeing animals in cages but I think London Zoo and others like it, do have the interests of the animals at heart I do not agree with private zoos that are run for purely financial reasons, where animals are kept in sub-standard cages for the amusement of humans. Some foreign zoos I've seen in documentaries are the animal equivalent of Auschwitz.

[Novo]

I think we are all forgetting that not only do they keep endangered Species safe but the lifespan of Animals in captivity is much greater then in the wild, i am no Animal expert but if the Animals were in that much stress being in cages and weren't in good shape, not allowed to run around, exercise etc then they'd live nowhere near the age they do in Captivity and everytime i've been to Chester Zoo nothing has ever told me that none of the animals look in stress or being uncared for. I think like us they just adapt to their surroundings after a while.

[Kazanne]

I prefer Safari Parks to Zoos and although I don't like the thought of any animal being caged,it has to be done as we as humans are selfish,greedy and thoughtless and in the main we have taken away their habitats and killed them for selfish gain and vanity,I think some humans deserve to be caged more than animals.

Originally Posted by Novo

I think we are all forgetting that not only do they keep endangered Species safe but the lifespan of Animals in captivity is much greater then in the wild, i am no Animal expert but if the Animals were in that much stress being in cages and weren't in good shape, not allowed to run around, exercise etc then they'd live nowhere near the age they do in Captivity and everytime i've been to Chester Zoo nothing has ever told me that none of the animals look in stress or being uncared for. I think like us they just adapt to their surroundings after a while.

Out in the wild, things are either eaten, or trying to eat. This has a huge impact on the life span. For example, a male Lion leader of the pride, will be killed after a few years, when he is usurped and replaced by a younger, fitter model. If it was a lovely utopia where nothing ate anything else and food/living space were plentiful, then you'd probably see animals in the wild living longer than those in captivity.

That said, I absolutely love going to zoo's, even though I am morally against them.

[swinearefine]

I'm completely against zoos. Animals in zoos are often kept in climates their bodies are not designed for and show high levels of stress at being confined and gawked at. If people want to see and learn about animals they should visit animal sanctuaries, wildlife preserves, or other places that exist to protect animals rather than exploit and torture them for profit.