In the article, “The Stripes Will Survive” by Jacqueline Adams tells us how Siberian tigers were endangered in the wild so the zoo brought them to an exhibit while also boosting their population. In the article, “The Zoos Go Wild From No More Dodos” by Nicholas Nirgiotis and Theodore Nirgiotis tells how silverback gorillas are captured by Zoos to protect them from going extinct and transported to a big exhibit out in the wilderness. In the article “Our beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment” by Alica Powers, she tells how hard it is to take care of their blue and gold macaws and the difficult task of keeping them healthy. All three articles show that zoos can be a big help towards how hard it is to take care of themselves and the animals
The role of zoos is to protect
All over the planet, there are different types of animals, and half of the animal species are endangered. Not only that, but some species are almost extinct. But luckily there are some people that are ready to help these creatures. According to “The Stripes Will Survive” by Jacqueline Adams, “The Zoos Go Wild” from No More Dodos, by Nicholas Nirgiotis and Theodore Nirgiotis, and a video called “Behind the Scenes with the National Zoo's Lion Cubs” zoos are the ones that protect animals. All in all, the sources have different and similar ways in supporting that the zoo's role is to protect animals.
It is very rare for zoos to release animals back into the wild. They did this with the red wolf in the U.S., though. There were almost none left. An AZA program helped. Many zoos rescue animals from bad treatment.
This exposure and education motivate people to protect the animals and provide entertainment. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. “The Arabian Oryx was hunted to extinction in the wild. However, from just a handful of animals in captivity the species was brought back from the brink thanks the conservation efforts of Phoenix Zoo and others.
While it is true that some species are going extinct; animals in zoos, however, can become overpopulated sending animals to their deaths. According to an article by One Green Planet, the text states that “Surplus animals can also be animals that the zoo no longer finds profitable, cubs that were a big hit the year before might be replaced by newer, younger animals. Since zoos are not responsible for lifetime care of animals, they can get rid of the animals who are no longer profitable or useful” (The Shocking Truth About What Happens to ‘Surplus’ Zoo Animals, One Green Planet). This shows that zoos will sell their animals to their death to gain business. Therefore, animals should be left in the wild and not sold for profit.
In fact, “most of the members found in zoos are not endangered or threatened species, only 18% actually are” (Zoos Hurt Conservation). In fact, many of the animals being bred are babies because that is what brings visitors. Another clear reason that such parks are for profit. The few that do face extinction, including elephants, polar bears, gorillas, tigers, and chimpanzees will never be released into the wild to strengthen diminishing populations (An Idea). Parks claim that conservation is the main reason they are open, but nearly half of all organizations spend 1% of their revenues in conservation (Zoos Hurt Conservation).
This argument is split into three main viewpoints, the opinion that zoos harm animals, the opinion that zoos save endangered species, and a mix between the two. Viewpoint number three is more of a critique how zoos are good places where bad things happen and should be reformed. Each option has its own individual pros and cons but a reform of zoos and their standards would be the most economical for zoos and aquariums and this method would also be the least harmful and less stressful for the animals involved. The care and wellbeing of the animals involved should be the number one priority of all groups and by cutting back on over breeding, the phasing out of lager animals that naturally roam large distances, and creating environments that’s sole purpose is to educate people, zoos can become a better place for people and animals
Zoos educate the public about animals and the problems they face in the wild. " The fastest and most direct way for people to save and care about an endangered species is to connect with them," says Rob Vernon, the AZA's communications coordinator (Mendoza). Zoos are also convenient for people to see wild animals as not everyone has the opportunity to go to Africa and see them in person (Mendoza). Many believe that engaging with animals in person can be more inspiring and educational than a picture on a television screen. Only the smallest impact can make a huge impression.
Moreover, zoos always respond to emergencies, such as deadly threats to one or another species, by providing specialists and establishing breeding and treatment programs (Borrell 9). Thereby, both articles express the opinion that zoos are important for conservation purposes as they provide a wide range of specialists and research data. More significantly, they react on emergencies and do their best to protect endangered
Zoos are establishments were wild animals are collectively maintained, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public. They are much more than a collection of animals and more important than ever, because zoos are a productive and successful strategy for protecting endangered species worldwide. The majority of endangered species are suffering from habitat destruction or exploitation. Captive breeding becomes the last option when basic strategies of preservation and protection in the wild are ineffective. The survival of Pere David 's deer, Przewalski 's horses, the North American wood bison, and the Arabian oryx, are common examples of productive conservation efforts undertaken by zoos worldwide.
Zoos have been around for centuries, attracting many people to look at the beautiful, majestic animals. However, these magnificent creatures are being held captive at these zoos. Animals should be able to live in the wild where they belong and should be set free. False statements about animals in the zoos have been made, therefore animals should be allowed to live freely in the wild and zoos should be banned.
Zoos may be very necessary for endangered species. But, there are different ways how to save and continue endangered species, and every zoo have had choice how they do it. Some zoos are breeding endangered species trying to continue the species, but that is not right, because it leads to very complicated health issues. For example white tiger who are very rare animal, breeding requirements are that all white tigers parents must be white tigers too, to get only white tiger, and so are zoos breeding white tigers fathers with their daughters and mothers with their sons. But some zoos again are preserving and studying endangered species in captivity to save endangered species in the wild.
People say that zoos are important for education and are a great way for people to learn about exotic animals (Agnew n.p). Researchers cannot learn as much when animals are captive, you can learn just as much or even more while they are in their natural habitat. While some believe that zoos are important for education, they also believe that zoos are necessary for the survival of species (Zoos n.p). Most zoos claim that they take in extinct and needy animals, most animals at zoos aren’t orphaned, extinct, or injured at all (Zoos n.p). Lastly, one big claim is that zoos help conservation of animals (Borrel n.p).
A lot of people think that zoos are good because they help repopulate, but no one thought that the only reason why we need to repopulate some species, was because of poaching and hunting. If people never had poaching and hunting, most animals are capable out there in the wild. On the other hand, Zoos have research programs that help expand our knowledge about animals, especially the endangered species. The information gained by these programs can help protect and treat the species in the wild, as well as determine what effects if any climate change may have on the regions needed for the species to flourish. Many zoos also have breeding programs for all kinds of species, endangered or not, and learn even more about the species during the breeding, and rearing process.
